What to do with your old UV lamps.
UV lamps contain a tiny amount of mercury, which means they need a bit of extra care when you throw them away.
The good news? It’s easy to do the right thing, and it helps protect both people and the environment.
Why They Need Special Disposal
These lamps can break if they end up in normal rubbish or landfill. When they do, mercury can escape and cause harm.
By recycling them instead, you help keep mercury out of the environment and allow the glass and metal to be reused.
Steps to safely dispose of the lamp.
If Your lamp Is still in one piece, then great, just keep it somewhere safe until you’re ready to recycle it. Ideally in a box or its original packaging so it won’t break.
If your lamp breaks while handling it then don’t worry, it is easy to handle safely.
1. Leave the room for 5–10 minutes so fresh air can clear the space.
2. Don’t use a vacuum cleaner. It can spread mercury dust.
3. Pick up big pieces with cardboard or stiff paper. 4. Use sticky tape for tiny bits.
5. Seal everything in a jar or sturdy container until you can recycle it.
Where to dispose of your old lamp.
These bulbs must never go in your kerbside recycling or rubbish.
If you have old lamps to dispose of, we recommend you first ring your local council to see if they have a local drop-off/disposal point which accept Mercury Ultra Violet Lamps. Most regional Council Websites have some information on Mercury Lamp Recycling.
Click on the following to find a list of local councils Local Councils.
As an example, if you are in the Auckland Region, then click on the following link to view. Mercury Lamp Recycling Options.
Failing this, you can contact private company Interwaste - https://www.interwaste.co.nz/ .
Interwaste Interwaste is New Zealand’s specialist recycler for all mercury-containing lamps. They recover the materials safely so nothing ends up in landfill.
Quick Yes/No Guide
YES: Take UV and fluorescent bulbs to a recycling drop-off point
YES: Store old bulbs in a box so they don’t break
NO: Don’t put these bulbs in household rubbish or kerbside recycling
NO: Don’t vacuum broken bulbs
Why Recycling Helps
Recycling means mercury is safely contained—and the materials inside the bulb can be used again. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.