Repurpose Your Worn Out Incandescent Light Bulbs

You may or may not be surprised to learn that, unlike LED lights, incandescent bulbs are not recyclable. This is a huge shame, as there are literally millions of them currently in use in the UK.

But this is all set to change in the next few years when incandescent bulbs are to be phased out completely in favour of energy-efficient LED light bulbs that, if you were to buy them today, wouldn’t become reusable for at least 17 years!

So, to give poor, doomed incandescent light bulbs a new lease of life, why not repurpose them in some novel and attractive ways, so they don’t end their lives as landfill as is usually the case?

The first step in making an incandescent light bulb ready to be repurposed is removing the cap and filament assembly. This can be achieved quite easily, using just a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, ensuring that you wear eye protection of course.

Before you know it you’ll have an empty bulb that’s simply overflowing with potential. If you’re still looking for inspiration, we’ve found a few examples of what can be done with just a bit of imagination.

Light Bulb Vase

So they’re already made of glass and vaguely resemble a vase, so turning your light bulbs into a receptacle for your flowers isn’t a giant leap. More importantly, they’re quick and easy to make. Fill the bulbs with either water or soil and use a piece of thread or wire to suspend them around your home. These will brighten up the place, in a whole new way.

Tiny Terrarium

If you’re more of a hobbyist at heart, or just prefer a challenge, then you could try creating your very own tiny terrarium. These are essentially miniature greenhouses that can be created by filling your light bulb with various articles from your garden. Soil, stones, bits of moss and so forth. Making one is both a rewarding and therapeutic experience, and the end result is an impressive windowsill ornament.

Chemistry Set

Reusing old light bulbs isn’t a new fad. A 1933 edition of Popular Science shows you how to turn your old luminaries into chemical glassware. You can make your kids their very own chemistry sets, and put them on the road to scientific greatness.

Oil Lamps

Your light bulbs may have burnt out, but they can still go on shining. A Brooklyn-based designer charges a fortune for the light bulbs he converts into oil lamps, but you can make your own for absolutely free using some tools, know-how and a few household objects, including a shoe lace, bottle cap, magnets and lamp oil.

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Need a new salt and pepper shaker? You can make some stylish looking shakers out of a pair of old light bulbs. All you need is a hack-saw, some hex nuts and two bottle caps. It’s well worth the effort, and no one will be able to tell the difference.

Lamp Shades

If you have a particularly large number of bulbs, Bulbs Unlimited, a company based in Germany, with the tagline “Creacycle Your Home” can lend a helping hand. They sell special kits that can be used to transform your old light bulbs into amazing new lamp shades.

If you have any other ideas on how to repurpose your old incandescent light bulbs, why not let us know?

Or if you need any advice or inspiration about which LED lights you’ll require to replace your worn out incandescent bulb, please don’t hesitate to check out our website, call us on 0116 321 4120 or send an e-mail to cs@wled.co.uk.