How Your Lamps Get Recycled

Learn how TerraCycle Regulated Waste processes your lamps for recycling.

1. Lamps are sent to the recycling facility

Upon arrival at the recycling facility, lamps are removed from their containers and fed into specialized machine for recycling lamps. The entire process is fully automatic and incorporated in a container in which the air is brought to subpressure, thereby preventing mercury from being released into the environment.

2. By-product separation

With the aid of a sophisticated patented air transportation system, the phosphor powder is separated in different steps from the glass and metal by-products.

3. Glass and aluminum stored

Clean glass and aluminum end-caps are sparated and stored for re-use.

4. Mercury is isolated

The mercury bearing powder is collected in distiller barrels beneath the cyclone and the self-cleansing dust filters.

5. Mercury is extracted

The powder is then retorted to drive out the mercury.

6. Elements are ready for re-use

At the end of the process the glass, metal end-caps, powder, and mercury can all be re-used.

7. Recycling certificate is issued

Once the materials have been fully processed by the recycling facility, an official Certificate of Recycling will be produced and emailed to you for record keeping.