Fluorescent Tube Collection & Recycling

The complete fluorescent tube collection and recycling service is available from Wiser Recycling throughout the UK. We are one of the few UK companies that manage the whole recycling process – end-to-end. From collection to treatment and recycling, we provide a fully compliant and environmentally friendly service.

As a logical first step, take advantage of our secure and durable containers and start storing your fluorescent tubes safely. To find out more and join the many other organisations that are already benefitting, contact us or call on 01480 464111.

Jump to:
– Collection
– Recycling
– Treatment
– A Cost-Effective Service
– Frequently Asked Questions

Fluorescent Tube Collection, Recycling & Treatment

Since 2003, we have been processing WEEE – including fluorescent tubes – in a responsible and reliable manner. At Wiser Recycling, we prioritise understanding and building a long-term working relationship with our customers. To date, our waste carrier fleet routinely collects fluorescent tubes and all other types of gas discharge lamps from a variety of UK businesses and organisations. As a result, many of our customers have peace of mind that their unwanted lighting is recycled compliantly.

Who we work with

Wiser Recycling provides a friendly and reliable fluorescent tube and other lighting equipment – including sodium SON and SOX lamps – collection, and recycling service to a wide range of organisations. Across the UK, we go the extra mile whether you have 10 or 10,000 fluorescent tubes! Our clients include:

We collect fluorescent tubes directly from you

Wiser Recycling offers safe and compliant fluorescent tube collections. To begin with, we provide our customers with flexible and durable specialist fluorescent tube containers. Here, the customer can handle and store their unwanted fluorescent tubes safely. Once the customer is ready, a friendly driver from our FORS certified fleet will come to collect the waste tubes in a timely manner. Trained to a high standard, our experienced drivers provide an exemplary and safe service.

Available across the UK

Our FORS certified fleet can cover all parts of the UK. Every working day, our fleet collects fluorescent tubes and WEEE from our customers. Wiser Recycling’s office-based collections team organise and track the whole process. So, you can have confidence that your collection is scheduled and ready to go ahead. Furthermore, you can also keep an eye on the status of your collection at any time by giving our collections team a call on 01480 464111.

Free collections

Helping to provide our customers with the best value possible, Wiser Recycling offers a free collection service. Provided that your collection point is within a 50-mile radius of our approved and authorised treatment facilities (AATF) and weighs over 500kg. The catchment area includes many of the UK’s most populous cities. This includes London (north of the river), East Anglia, Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Beyond the free collection areas, our transport charges start from a competitive £84. See our transport fee table for more information. Alternatively, you can easily drop off your unwanted tubes directly at our AATFs for free. Contact us or call on 01480 464111 to book a collection or drop off today.

An efficient fluorescent tube recycling process

Strategically placed across the UK, Wiser Recycling operates two state of the art AATFs. Based in the North and East of England, our AATFs operate compliantly under their environmental permits. Enshrined as a part of our culture, we aim to produce clean high-quality materials as an output of our fluorescent tube recycling process; maximising the market’s demand for our recycled end-product.

State of the art AATFs

Our recycling process ensures that your unwanted tubes do not end up directly in a landfill – causing harm to the environment. First, a specialist compact crush and sieve machine crushes the fluorescent tubes. This machine allows us to separate and recover the valuable glass cullet from the other fluorescent tube components.

The recovered glass cullet is then recycled and used within the manufacture of paving slabs and aggregate. Alongside this, we recycle your fluorescent tube’s old non-ferrous metals and plastic components into new parts. In working with Wiser Recycling you will be contributing towards the UK’s circular economy.

Safe & compliant fluorescent tube treatment

Primarily, the dangerous and hazardous component of a fluorescent tube is the mercury-containing phosphor powder. This substance is dangerous because it can cause harm to human health and the environment. Moreover, any breakage or damage to a fluorescent tube could result in potential exposure to the invisible and odourless mercury vapour. Maintaining compliance, we separate the mercury-containing phosphor powder and secure it in into sealed and airtight containers – ready for responsible and compliant further treatment.

In short, our advanced fluorescent tube treatment process safely isolates the hazardous mercury-containing phosphor powder and recycles the valuable materials. By removing the need to needlessly landfill valuable materials, Wiser Recycling’s treatment process positively impacts the environment and retains resources for future use. Learn more about the lamp recycling process that puts us light years ahead!

Cost-effective service

At Wiser Recycling, we pride ourselves on providing our clients with the most cost-effective service available. Operating multiple AATFs across the UK gives us an edge over the competition. Alongside offering free collections for large quantities of fluorescent tubes, we also offer competitive transport charges for smaller volumes

Our transport fee table below illustrates how cost-effective our fluorescent tube collection and recycling service is. To find your nearest Wiser Recycling AATF and your transport fees – enter your location or postcode area into the table’s search box. This fee does not include a £33+VAT hazardous waste consignment note.

Fluorescent tube recycling service – book a collection today

Recycle your unwanted fluorescent tubes today. Our fully compliant all-in-one service is ready to recycle your unwanted lighting. Additionally, we can collect your WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) during our visit as well.

At Wiser Recycling, we go the extra mile no matter the size of your business – whether you have 10 or 10,000 lights. Reduce your costs and environmental impact today and contact us or call our friendly team on  01480 464111 to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it dangerous to break fluorescent tubes?
  Yes, a broken fluorescent tube is dangerous. This is because each tube has mercury-containing phosphor powder. Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause serious damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys and other vital organs. The World Health Organisation site tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects and headaches as potential signs of mercury poisoning.
• Are fluorescent tubes hazardous?
  Yes, fluorescent tubes are classified as hazardous waste. WM3 classify such lighting equipment as 20 01 21*. This means that unwanted fluorescent tubes should follow hazardous waste regulations. This includes producing a consignment note when moving the waste and use an AATF to recycle and treat your hazardous fluorescent tubes.
• Can you put fluorescent tubes in a skip?
  No, you should not put unwanted fluorescent tubes in a skip. Their hazardous nature means that producers of waste fluorescent tubes need to (i) classify them as hazardous waste, (ii) separate and safely store them, (iii) use authorised businesses to collect and recycle them, (iv) fill in a consignment note and (v) keep those records for 3 years.
• Where can I recycle fluorescent tubes near me?
  You can recycling your fluorescent tubes at one of Wiser Recycling’s AATFs. Based in the North and East of England, our AATFs can compliantly treat your unwanted lighting equipment. Find your nearest AATF with our transport fee table.