How to Recycle Incandescent Light Bulbs

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is beneficial to the earth, as well as your bank account. Energy-efficient light bulbs last up to 10 times longer than their incandescent competitors and use 75 percent less energy, according to energy. When making the switch, instead of tossing old incandescent light bulbs in the trash, consider recycling them in unique ways.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Needle-nose pliers
• Screwdriver
• Tissue
• Salt
• Wire
• Suction cup
• Rubbing alcohol
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrush
• Felt fabric
• Pom pom
• Chenille fabric
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks

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Instructions

• 1

  Hollow out the bulb. Wrap the glass in a thick fabric to prevent breakage, then use needle nose pliers to remove the solder point on the end of the metal base.

• 2

  Insert a screwdriver into the bulb, finding the stem that holds the filament and breaking it where the glass folds into the stem. Remove the filament, filament assembly and any additional glass pieces.

• 3

  Clean the inside. Remove the white powder coating from the bulb, if applicable, with a tissue to clean the inside thoroughly. If glass and powder remain after the initial cleaning, add a small amount of salt to the bulb and shake to remove stubborn residue.

• 4

  Make a window vase. Twist wire around the metal section of the empty bulb until it is secure, attaching a suction cup to the wire when finished. Add additional wire and bulbs to create multiple vases. Be mindful of the weight the suction cup will be able to hold and make sure all suction cups are securely stuck to the window.

• 5

  Create a Christmas ornament. A bulb that has not been hollowed out may be painted with acrylic paints to create a Santa Clause ornament. Clean the bulb thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to ensure paint adheres to the glass.

• 6

  Paint the bulb white and allow it to dry before applying flesh-tone paint in an oval for a face. Add eyes, eyebrows, nose, mustache, mouth and rosy cheeks.

• 7

  Wrap thin wire around the metal base of the bulb and twist together to form an oval hanger. Hot glue a piece of red felt in a cone shape and attach it over the metal part of the bulb, making sure the hanger is not in the way. Add a pom pom to the end and a piece of white chenille for the brim of the hat.