Fluorescent light bulbs [‘spaarlampen’ in Dutch] are the lamps sold most in the Netherlands since it is no longer permitted to produce the energy-wasting incandescent lamp. The drawback: its chemical composition. Marius Lazauskas wonders ‘How to safely dispose of fluorescent light bulbs? Throwing them into general waste bins, would be a bad bad bad thing?’

Yes Marius, that would be a bad bad bad thing! Many fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury vapor, which is highly toxic to humans and the environment. This is why you cannot discard them with your ordinary household waste, but must keep them apart with your small chemical waste (KCA). Many households have a special bin for the latter kind of waste. If you do not have such a bin, you can keep it apart yourself, together with other hazardous or harmful waste such as batteries, hypodermic syringes, medicines, paint or thinner.

This small chemical waste is collected by the municipality free of charge; make an appointment via number 14 040 (Dutch-language menu). You can also hand it in yourself at a ‘milieustraat’: a central collection point for special waste. In Eindhoven you find ‘milieustraten’ at Gabriël Metsulaan 1, Esperheide 2 and Lodewijkstraat 9.

A new generation of fluorescent light bulbs, containing xenon instead of mercury vapor, is emerging. These xenon lights can be safely discarded with your household waste. When in doubt, check the packaging of the light bulb.

For information about other kinds of waste: check I Wonder in Cursor 8. (SK)