How to recycle lamps and light fittings

Find a nearby place for lamps and light fittings

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How to recycle lamps and light fittings

Donate a safe working lamp. Recycle broken fittings as electrical equipment and remove the bulb if it comes out normally.

Possible recycling routes

Charity donation pointsReuse shops and centresElectrical recycling pointsHousehold waste recycling centresRetailer take-back points

Prepare lamps and light fittings for recycling

• Unplug and remove loose shades
• Remove detachable bulbs
• Keep fixings with a reusable fitting

What must stay out

Keep these items separate and check the site rules before you travel.

• Hard-wired removal should be done safely
• Fluorescent tubes need their own lamp container
• Charities may require electrical safety checks

Types of site to check

These site types can list lamps and light fittings. Each provider sets its own limits and access rules.

• Charity donation points

  Charity shops, donation banks and collection services for clean, safe and saleable goods. Each charity decides what its local shops can accept.

• Reuse shops and centres

  Sites that accept usable household items for resale or redistribution. They can be at recycling centres or run as separate community projects.

• Electrical recycling points

  Drop-off points for electrical items with a plug, battery or cable. Accepted item sizes vary by site.

• Household waste recycling centres

  Council-run sites that accept many types of household recycling and waste. Local rules can cover booking, proof of address, vehicle permits and charges for some DIY waste.

• Retailer take-back points

  Shops and delivery services that take back selected products or packaging. Rules depend on the product, the retailer and whether you are buying a replacement.

Collection and take-back services

These services may offer another route when a local site does not list the item.

• Electrical retailer take-back

  Retailers can take back old electrical products under UK waste electrical rules. The service depends on the retailer and the item size.

Related item guides

• Electrical items

  Household products with a plug, battery, cable or crossed-out wheelie bin symbol.

• Fluorescent tubes

  Straight fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps from household use.

• Light bulbs

  Household LED, halogen, incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs.

Browse all item guides

Questions about recycling lamps and light fittings

Where can I recycle lamps and light fittings?

Enter your postcode in the local finder to search charity donation points and reuse shops and centres and electrical recycling points and household waste recycling centres and retailer take-back points near you. Check the provider page before you travel because item lists and access rules can change.

How should I prepare lamps and light fittings for recycling?

Donate a safe working lamp. Recycle broken fittings as electrical equipment and remove the bulb if it comes out normally.