LED lights are recyclable
Unlike fluorescent lamps, LED lights do not have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. They do not contain any toxic mercury or other pollutants – another benefit for the environment. However, they do not belong in the household waste either, they have to be recycled. Old LED lights should therefore be handed over to municipal collection points, such as mobile hazardous substances and recycling centers, or to manufacturers’ take-back systems.
They contain valuable components that can be recycled. These include rare earths and electronic components such as diodes and semiconductors. This benefits the earth’s natural resources and thus, once again, the environment.
From the mid-1990s onwards, energy-saving lamps (Compact Fluorescent Lamp, CFL for short) were touted as the more environmentally friendly alternative to incandescent lamps because they consume less energy. But they have many disadvantages They have a greater environmental impact and require more energy to manufacture. They also have a shorter lifespan and often require a certain warm-up time before they light up. If the lamps break, mercury vapor can also escape, which is harmful to the human organism.
