Lava lamps are an unusual fusion of science and art, popular back in the 80s and 90s sat on household shelves, mesmerizing with a hypnotic blend of coloured wax blobs in liquid. Originating from the swinging sixties, these groovy pieces of decor may eventually come to a point in their lifespan where they need to be replaced or disposed of. Anyway, less of the Austin Powers talk.
If you’re needing to dispose of a broken lamp or have simply grown out of yours, you might be wondering how to dispose of it properly. This article aims to guide you through the entire process, step-by-step, ensuring you do it in an environmentally friendly way.
Lava lamps are made up of several distinct parts, namely a glass vessel, wax and liquid in the chamber, a heating coil and a stand and cap as housing. Each part is recycled or disposed of differently, usually via your HWRC.
What Are Lava Lamps Made From?
To begin with, let’s understand what a lava lamp is made of. Primarily, a lava lamp comprises four components:
- Glass Container: The glass bottle or container forms the body of the lamp. It is made of thick, heat-resistant glass and houses the liquid and wax.
- Wax and Liquid: The ‘lava’ in the lava lamp is composed of a special kind of wax that floats around in a liquid, often coloured. The exact composition can vary, but the wax is generally paraffin wax, and the liquid is a mix of distilled water and chemicals like polyethylene glycol.
- Metal Coil: At the bottom of the glass container, a small, hidden metal coil heats up, causing the wax to melt, rise, and fall in the liquid, creating that hypnotic lava effect.
- Base and Cap: These are typically made of metal and hold the glass container in place. The base also houses a light bulb, which provides the heat source for the metal coil.
Now that we know the components, let’s explore how to dispose of each part.
Glass Container
Glass is widely recyclable. Many local recycling centres will accept glass containers. However, before recycling, ensure you’ve completely emptied the container of its wax and liquid contents. Use caution when handling the glass as it can be slippery and breakable.
Wax and Liquid
The wax and liquid in the lava lamp should never be poured down a drain, as it can lead to blockages. Instead, you should carefully pour the wax and liquid into a sealable, leak-proof bag or container. Check with your local waste disposal site, usually called a HWRC or household waste recycling site to see if they accept this type of waste. Most do, but if they don’t, they may be able to point you to a facility that does.
Metal Coil, Base, and Cap
These parts are typically made of metal, which is also widely recyclable. However, before you recycle, ensure there is no remaining wax or liquid attached. Check with your local recycling centre to confirm they accept these types of metals.
Please note, some bases and caps are plastic which will need to be disposed of differently to the metal varieties – usually a different skip at the tip.
Some Local Tips Allow Small Appliances To Be Left Intact
It’s worth noting that many of the country’s HWRC’s (or tips to most of us!) have an area to leave small appliances, and lava lamps will likely fall into that category. That means you can drop them off as-is, with no need to dismantle them.
If you’re in an area like that, it’s a really easy job, as the staff in the recycling centre will either do the job for you, or send them on to someone that will.
Let The Device Cool Before Dismantling
Before we go any further, you should not dismantle a lava lamp unless you know what’s in it. The majority of those sold in the UK are safe, however, we can’t guarantee that’s true of all of them. As we said a moment ago, a lot of tips with allow you to drop them off in one piece, which is a better option for most people.
If you are confident that you know the contents of your lamp are safe to handle, read on.
Before you start the disposal process, you need to let your lava lamp cool down completely. Do not try to disassemble a hot or warm lava lamp as it can lead to burns or accidents. Also, take care not to watch out for sharp metal or glass parts or surfaces.
Once your lava lamp has cooled, you can begin disassembling it for disposal or recycling. First, remove the cap from the top of the lamp. If the cap is stuck, try gently twisting it back and forth until it loosens. Once the cap is off, you should be able to pour out the liquid and wax. After you have successfully emptied and cleaned the glass container and metal parts, you can take them to your local recycling centre.
Lava Lamps Are Complex Waste, But Manageable With A Little Effort
In summary, disposing of a lava lamp might be a bit more involved than throwing away everyday waste, but it’s essential to follow these steps to ensure you’re doing it in an environmentally responsible way. Remember, each piece has its own disposal method: recycle the glass and metal parts, and check with local waste facilities on how to best dispose of the wax and liquid. The key is to handle each component carefully, not rush the process, and to reach out to local recycling or waste facilities for guidance if needed.
If you find that your local recycling centre doesn’t accept certain parts of the lava lamp, don’t despair! There are usually specialized recycling facilities or programs that can help. For instance, some areas have hazardous waste drop-off events or sites that will take the wax and liquid. Just be sure to seal them in a leak-proof bag or container to prevent spills.
Lava Lamp Bulbs Need Careful Handling
In terms of the light bulb housed in the base of your lava lamp, that too needs to be disposed of responsibly. Depending on the type of bulb, it may contain small amounts of hazardous materials. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury and should be taken to a recycling facility that can handle them safely. Incandescent and LED bulbs, on the other hand, can often be disposed of in your regular household waste. However, recycling is always the best option if available. We’ve got a whole page on disposing of light bulbs here on the site.
Re-use Beats Recycling
If the lava lamp you’re disposing of is in good working condition, consider donating it instead of recycling. Second-hand stores, charity shops, and online platforms could provide an excellent opportunity for your lava lamp to continue its life, bringing joy to someone else’s space.
In conclusion, the life of a lava lamp doesn’t have to end in a landfill. Whether it’s recycling the glass and metal parts, responsibly disposing of the wax and liquid, or even repurposing or donating the lamp, there are several options available. You’ve just got to choose the one that works best for you, and you’re on your way to greener living. Dispose responsibly, recycle where possible, and keep the spirit of the groovy, mesmerizing lava lamp alive! Oh, I just went all Austin Powers again…
