The recycling process achieves 99% recycling

The main constituent of the tube, soda lime glass (approximately 85.5%) is returned to the lamp industry and is re-used directly in the production of new fluorescent tubes.

The caps (approximately 12%) are separated into three fractions; aluminium, mixed glass/plastic and lead-in wires. The metallic fractions (aluminium and lead-in wires) are used as scrap metal. The glass/plastic is used as an additive in place of gravel for the production of concrete.

Phosphorescent powder is separated into three fractions – 2 types of rare earth activated phosphor are sent to Phillips phosphor factory where a chemical process is used to separate the mercury from the phosphorescent powder. The phosphor is then cleaned (most of the free mercury in the lamps is blown out together with the phosphor powder and remain in the phosphor). Both the mercury and phosphor are re-used in the manufacture of new lamps. Only approximately 1% of the phosphor powder is stored in a special landfill site.

An 85% saving in energy is achieved compared to production of a tube from virgin raw material.