Nowadays, more people are switching to LED (light emitting diodes) lights. That is because LED light bulbs are very energy efficient and they lower your electric bills! Because they require less power to operate, installing LED light bulbs cut down your electricity costs.

But aside from that, these LED lights also reduce heat given off while operating when compared to incandescent counterparts. That means, installing LED lights in your house will give you a cooler atmosphere as well!

So now, what do we do with these incandescent light bulbs that we just got replaced? These light bulbs are actually filled with toxins, and as more people switch to LED’s, these old bulbs filled up our landfills that may intoxicate our drinking water.

Here are three do-it-yourself project in recycling the old light bulbs:

1. Hanging Flower Vase

Hanging flower vase

What we need for this project are:

1. light bulb
2. needle nose pliers
3. flathead screw driver
4. gardening wire
5. water
6. your flower of choice

Steps:

1. Empty the light bulb. Remove the little silver layer on the bottom of the light bulb. Work the pliers under the layer to create a little lip, and then you should be able to peel it right off with the pliers.
2. Next, work the pliers into the hole left after removing the silver cap, and snap the glass.
3. Use the pliers to tap the rest of the black glass off the bulb.
4. Then remove the little glass tube and wiring inside the light bulb.
5. Now that it is empty, add flowers and water, and hang with a gardener wire.

2. Light Bulb Lamp

Light bulb lamp

For the materials:

1. light bulb
2. salt,
3. bottle cap
4. old cotton shoe lace
5. lamp oil
6. pliers
7. needle nose pliers
8. flathead screw driver
9. knife
10. scissors

Steps:

1. Hollow out the bulb. Follow the steps from the previous project.
2. Next, we clean the bulb using a spoonful of salt.
3. Then we make the cap and the wick using the old sock and the bottle cap.
4. And lastly, we fill the bulb with the lamp oil and light up our lamp.

3. Terrarium

A terrarium out of a light bulb

We will be needing:

1. Light bulb
2. charcoal
3. soil
4. pebbles
5. sphagnum moss
6. needle-nose plier
7. long tweezers
8. screwdriver
9. plants

Here’s what we’re going to do:

1. First, remove the guts of the light bulb.
2. Next, add a layer of pebbles. You may use any clean regular stones or expanded clay pellets. Then fill your container approximately 1/3 full with your layer of pebbles.
3. After that, add a barrier layer of sphagnum or green moss, a layer of activated charcoal and a layer of soil.
4. Choose a plant and finally, gently settle in your plant and decorate the interior of the terrarium with figurines, twigs or other ornamental additions.

Sources:

• http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/7/prweb9687893.htm
• http://www.myledlightingguide.com/FAQ.aspx
• http://www.greenecoservices.com/top-14-way-to-reuse-light-bulbs/
• http://blog.freepeople.com/2011/07/wednes-diy-home-decor-the-light-bulb-vase/
• http://www.instructables.com/id/Light-Bulb-Lamp-Another-Option/step5/Fill-Assemble-Light-Enjoy/
• http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-tuesday-light-bulb-terrariums/
• http://en.espritcabane.com/recycling-crafts/light-bulb-vase.php