Fluorescent Tube Recycling in Glasgow
Collection of fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescents and other mercury-containing lamps from Glasgow offices, warehouses and schools, documented as special waste.
- Licensed local partners across Skip Hire Glasgow
- Waste paperwork provided with every job
- Free, no-obligation quotes
Many Glasgow buildings are swapping old fluorescent lighting for LED, and each upgrade leaves a stack of tubes that can’t go in the bin. Skips Glasgow arranges fluorescent tube recycling for offices, warehouses, schools, car parks, retailers and electrical contractors across Glasgow, through our network of licensed local partners.
Fluorescent tubes and similar lamps contain small amounts of mercury, so they’re special waste in Scotland and move with a consignment note. The service is primarily for commercial quantities – a relamping project, an LED retrofit or a contractor’s accumulated stock – rather than a few household bulbs.
When requesting a quote, tell us roughly how many tubes and lamps you have, their lengths and how they’re stored. Equipment containing batteries must be declared too – emergency light fittings, for example, contain backup batteries. Use the quote form on this page or contact us.
Why tubes need separate handling
The mercury inside a fluorescent tube is safely contained while the glass is intact. Once a tube breaks, mercury vapour and phosphor powder can escape – which is why tubes shouldn’t be crushed into a general waste bin or thrown in a skip.
At a specialist treatment facility, lamps are processed so the mercury, glass, metal end caps and phosphor can be separated and recovered. Because they’re special waste in Scotland, every collection travels with a consignment note, and you should keep your copy. Read more on our special waste documentation page.
LED upgrades and relamping projects
LED retrofits are the most common reason businesses contact us about tubes. Warehouses on estates like Queenslie or Hillington, multi-storey car parks, school corridors and open-plan offices can each produce hundreds of tubes in a short programme of work.
If old light fittings are coming out as well, they’re electrical waste too and can usually be collected at the same time. Older emergency fittings contain backup batteries, so please declare them. Electrical contractors running several jobs can store tubes centrally and book a collection once there’s a worthwhile quantity, or arrange regular uplifts subject to availability.
Storing tubes safely until collection
A few simple habits keep tubes intact and the collection straightforward:
- Reuse the original boxes, or store tubes in a dedicated tube container
- Keep different lengths together and stand containers where they won’t be knocked
- Store under cover and away from walkways
- Bag any broken tubes separately, label them and tell us about them
- Keep tubes out of skips and general waste bins
Storing tubes this way also makes counting easier when you request your quote. If you have other special waste on site, such as paints or chemicals, see our hazardous waste disposal services.
Lamps and lighting we can collect
- Straight fluorescent tubes, all lengths
- Circular and U-shaped tubes
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
- Sodium and other high-intensity discharge lamps
- LED tubes and lamps
- Light fittings, including emergency fittings (batteries declared)
Please don’t include
- Undeclared broken tubes mixed with intact ones
- Ceiling tiles and building waste
- Asbestos-containing ceiling materials
- General packaging waste
Not sure? See what can go in a skip or ask us when you book.
Ideal for
- LED retrofits
- Electrical contractors
- Warehouses
- Schools
- Car parks
- Facilities managers
Fluorescent Tube Recycling – your questions answered
Can’t see your question? Call 0333 121 1056 or send us a message.
Are fluorescent tubes special waste in Scotland?
Yes. Because they contain mercury, fluorescent tubes and similar lamps are special waste in Scotland. They must be collected separately from general waste and move with a consignment note, which the licensed partner provides.
What should I do with a broken tube?
Ventilate the area, carefully collect the pieces and powder without using a vacuum cleaner, and seal them in a bag or container. Label it and keep it apart from intact tubes. Mention broken tubes when you request a quote so the partner can plan for them.
Can you take the old light fittings as well?
Usually, yes. Light fittings are electrical waste and can often be collected alongside the tubes. Emergency fittings contain backup batteries, so these must be declared. Let us know the number and type of fittings when you get in touch.
How many tubes do I need before booking a collection?
There’s no published minimum, but the service is aimed at commercial quantities. Many businesses store tubes safely until a project finishes, then book one collection. Tell us how many you have and we’ll advise.
Do you collect from contractors working across different sites?
Yes. Contractors can either have tubes collected from each job or bring them back to a single store for one collection. Collections are available across Glasgow and areas such as Coatbridge and Clydebank, subject to availability.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Tell us what you need, where and when. Photos, data sheets or site plans help us price accurately – our licensed local partners do the rest.
Skips Glasgow provides skip hire, waste collection, recycling and construction support across Glasgow through Waste Cloud’s network of licensed local partners.