Fluorescent tube disposal in Auckland?

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bakery2k

79 posts

Master Geek

#207960 21-Jan-2017 00:28

Does anyone know the correct way to dispose of no-longer-working (or working but no-longer-needed) fluorescent tubes in Auckland? I have a couple from household light fittings which have been replaced, but have no idea what to do with them.

The Auckland Council website describes them as "Not Accepted Hazardous Waste". The recommended method of disposal is "Fluorescent tubes are predominantly a commercial waste" - i.e. the head-in-the-sand approach.

Is there any good way to dispose of these tubes?

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

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Vocus

#1706785 21-Jan-2017 01:05

Looks like this crowd do it: http://www.interwaste.co.nz/services/advanced-recycling but as you say, nobody seems to be catering to household volumes (they do a minimum of 50 tubes at-a-go).

I know in the office we have electricians come to replace flourescent tubes, and I assume they collect enough to send to one of these places.

Otherwise I guess just store them some place (like under the house) so the mercury isn't released into the environment.

edit: on the offchance, I shot them an enquiry (I also have some I'd like to get rid of) - stay tuned. Maybe if there are a few of us with tubes/ccfl to get rid of we can go in on a bulk lot

richms

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#1706821 21-Jan-2017 09:17

Ive always just put them in the flexibin when I have one. Its not on the list of no things like car batteries and asbestos are.

Richard rich.ms

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#1706837 21-Jan-2017 10:07

Most electrical wholesalers take them back for disposal. A number do this for free if you're buying new tubes in quantity for replacement, otherwise you'll potentially have to pay a small fee per tube.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1707877 23-Jan-2017 10:24

I got this response from Interwaste:

Good morning

Thank you for your enquiry.

We supply a domestic box for bulbs, unfortunately there is not a box for the long tubes, many of the electrical suppliers off a drop off for the used tubes, when new tubes are purchased from them.

Please follow the link below for the CFLD box for domestic use.
http://www.interwaste.co.nz/shop/advanced-recycling

Looks like your local electrical wholesaler will be the ticket, or wherever you bought the new tubes.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1707895 23-Jan-2017 10:37

As a ex sparkie, I enjoyed smashing these tubes in skips. So did my boss and everyone else.
I wouldn't try to find a disposer. Smash the bugger in a skip bin. Its fun!
Is there any reason why we shouldn't do this?
Glass is already present in skip bins? Is it the gas?

richms

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#1707896 23-Jan-2017 10:38

Mercury and some of the phosphors in them are not exactly good for you. Old tubes had craploads of mercury, which is why they are all still working fine.

Richard rich.ms

Coil

6614 posts

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Inactive user

#1707897 23-Jan-2017 10:39

richms:

Mercury and some of the phosphors in them are not exactly good for you. Old tubes had craploads of mercury, which is why they are all still working fine.

When should i book my funeral?