You have a legal obligation under the The Duty of Care Regulations 1991 to ensure that any waste you produce is dealt with in accordance with the latest legislation. If you use a disposal contractor who disregards the law then you are equally responsible and may be prosecuted.

Under the new Landfill Regulations you can dispose of spent tubes only at hazardous waste sites which are reducing in number, the Environment Agency estimates that there will only be 30 or so suitable sites in the UK by July 2004, so transport & disposal costs will undoubtedly rise as a consequence.

The WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive, due to become UK Law, will require the recycling of circa 75% of spent fluorescent tubes.

Any organisation intending to obtain or retain a Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permit, environmental quality standard (such as ISO 14001 / EMAS / ISO 18000) or operating a waste minimisation policy must adopt Best Availability Techniques (BAT) in the disposal of it’s waste materials.

"The safe recycling of spent tubes is therefore the only option".