FAQ / Lamp recycling

What kind of lamps are collected for recycling?

Lamps that can be discarded with mixed household waste:

Incandescent light bulbs
Halogen lamps (including car headlights)
Infrared lamps

According to Finnish law the following lamps should be returned to a collection point for recycling:

Fluorescent tubes
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
LED lamps
High intensity discharge lamps (HID)
Low pressure sodium lamps (LPS)
Luminaires

How does the process of recycling work?

Collection

According to Finnish law, all LED lamps and lamps containing mercury should be delivered to a collection point for recycling. There are more than 500 collection points in Finland. Starting on May, 2013 the majority of shops selling lamps will also be taking back used lamps from customers.

The nearest collection point can be found at www.kierratys.info.

Recycling

From the collection points the lamps are transported to the recycling facility. There the lamps are crushed in a chemical solution which binds mercury. Mercury is transformed into a harmless mercury sulfide, a form in which mercury usually occurs in the nature.

Metal and glass are then being washed and screened. All components are being regularly analyzed for mercury. Only mercury sulfide ends up in the disposal.

Re-usage

Lamps consisting of different materials can be reused in a variety of ways. Metal and glass are usually re-used in glass wool and metal industries.


Container used for collection and transportation of lamps.	Lamps are being fed into the crushing machine.	Separated glass is transported to glass container.

Lamp crushing machine.	Materials from separator are carried to different containers.	After transporting lamps the container is washed and prepared to be used again.

WHY CHOOSE ELKER?

1. Elker is a reliable service provider with over 15 years of experience in the field.

2. Elker is always up-to-date on the latest obligations set out in the EU's WEEE directive and the corresponding obligations of the Finnish legislation.

3. Elker organises the recycling processes of electrical and electronic equipment efficiently.

4. Elker's WEEE recycling processes are sustainable and safe.

5. The WEEE collected is mainly recycled in Finland, according to strict safety regulations and processes.

6. Elker is part of a European-wide joint venture network that enables the producers to settle the WEEE and battery & accumulator requirements and take care of the responsibilities also in Norway and Switzerland, in addition to most of the EU countries.