Disposing of halogen lamps: What you should always bear in mind

Halogen lamps are still widely used in many households. But when they break or are replaced by more energy-efficient alternatives, the question arises: what to do with the old lamps? Disposing of halogen lamps is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Many people mistakenly throw them in the household waste, but this is not the right way. In this article, you will find out why halogen lamps should not be disposed of in normal waste, how to dispose of them correctly and what environmentally friendly alternatives are available.

Why can't halogen lamps be disposed of in household waste?

At first glance, halogen lamps look like conventional light bulbs, but they contain special gases and materials that make them more efficient. Nevertheless, they do not belong in household waste because they are made of glass, metal and halogen gases, which should not simply end up in landfill. Although they do not contain toxic substances such as mercury, which is found in energy-saving light bulbs, they are still problematic for the environment if they are disposed of incorrectly.

Another problem is recycling. If halogen lamps are disposed of with household waste, valuable raw materials that could be reused are lost. In addition, their glass components can cause damage during waste processing, for example by contaminating other waste or posing a risk of injury to refuse collectors. It is therefore important to dispose of halogen lamps properly.

Correct disposal: Where you can dispose of halogen lamps

Halogen lamps are disposed of properly at special collection points. Many recycling centers accept old halogen lamps free of charge. They are collected separately there so that the materials they contain can be recycled or disposed of properly.

Some electronics stores or DIY stores also offer collection points for old lamps. It is worth asking in advance whether such a facility is available. In some cities, there are also mobile collection points that collect lamps handed in at regular intervals. Another option is to dispose of them at special recycling centres that specialize in recycling electrical appliances and light bulbs.

Recycling or hazardous waste? What's inside a halogen lamp

Halogen lamps consist mainly of glass, metal and halogen gases such as iodine or bromine. Although these substances are not directly harmful to the environment, it is important that they are properly separated and recycled.

The glass of a halogen lamp is more heat-resistant than normal glass, which is why it cannot simply be recycled with conventional waste glass. However, the metals it contains, such as tungsten or aluminum, can be reused. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive recycling system for halogen lamps as there is for LED or energy-saving lamps. This is why they are often treated as residual waste when they are disposed of properly at recycling centers.

Environmentally friendly alternatives: use LEDs instead of halogen lamps

As halogen lamps consume significantly more energy than LED lighting and have a shorter service life, it is worth switching to a more environmentally friendly alternative. LEDs consume up to 80% less electricity and last up to 25 times longer than halogen lamps. This not only saves you money, but also reduces your ecological footprint.

Modern LED lamps are available in many different color temperatures and shapes, so they can easily be used as a replacement for halogen lamps. Dimmable LED lamps are now also widely available. LEDs also contain no toxic substances and are easier to recycle than other light sources.

Laws and regulations: What does the ElektroG say about disposal?

In Germany, the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) regulates the disposal of electrical appliances and certain light sources. While energy-saving lamps and LEDs are covered by the law and must be recycled, halogen lamps are exempt. This means that halogen lamps could theoretically be disposed of with residual waste.

However, environmental organizations and many cities still recommend handing them in at collection points in order to recycle the materials they contain in the best possible way and enable environmentally friendly disposal. Even if there is no legal obligation to dispose of halogen lamps separately, it makes ecological sense to take them to an appropriate collection point.

Common disposal mistakes - and how to avoid them

A common mistake is to simply throw halogen lamps in the household waste. This results in the loss of valuable raw materials that could be recycled. In addition, broken lamps can cause injuries. Another mistake is to throw halogen lamps into the glass container. Although they are made of glass, they differ in their composition from conventional waste glass and therefore cannot be recycled.

It is also wrong to dispose of them at collection points for energy-saving lamps or LEDs. These collection points are intended for lamps containing mercury, whereas halogen lamps cannot be processed correctly there. The best solution is to take halogen lamps to recycling centers or special recycling points.

How to dispose of your halogen lamps correctly

Halogen lamps do not belong in household waste or the bottle bank, but should be disposed of at recycling centers or special collection points. Although they do not contain any toxic substances, proper disposal helps to recycle valuable raw materials and protect the environment. If you switch to more energy-efficient alternatives such as LED lamps in the future, you will not only save on electricity costs, but also make an important contribution to protecting the environment. So make sure you dispose of old halogen lamps correctly and find out about the best alternatives for your lighting.