How to Recycle Fluorescent Light Diffusers

Fluorescent light diffusers are made of PMMA, commonly known as acrylic or Plexiglas. PMMA plastics are not biodegradable; therefore, it is necessary to recycle fluorescent light diffusers to keep our Earth green and our landfills functioning. Luckily, many local community recycling centers offer acrylic recycling. However, if your community does not have a recycling facility that recycles this type of plastic, a number of groups will gladly accept and recycle your used acrylic light diffusers.

Instructions

• 1

  Remove the old fluorescent light diffusers from the lights.

• 2

  Locate a recycling center near you. If you do not know of any recycling centers near you, visit the Earth 911 website, type in the material being recycled (acrylic) and your Zip code and click the "Search" button. Earth 911 will automatically find any and all of the recycling centers near you that accept acrylic. If you find a recycling center, move on to Step 3. If not, move on to Step 4.

• 3

  Take the diffusers to your local recycling center. Ask the recycling center's manager about their policies regarding recycling acrylic plastics. Give the light diffusers to the recycling center for recycling.

• 4

  Open your computer's Internet browser and navigate to a website of an organization that offers acrylic recycling services. Phoenix Recycling, Shimi Research Center and Plasticycle are a few of the organizations that provide this service. Contact the organization via email, letter or phone with the contact information found on the organization's website. Follow the instructions given to you by the organization to send the fluorescent diffusers to the organization of your choice for recycling.