These can be taken to all Somerset recycling sites for safe recycling.

Some retailers have collection points for low energy light bulbs see Recycle Now or Recolight for local details.

Unbroken low energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes

They should be taken, no need to wrap or bag, and placed in the ‘low energy bulb’ bin.

Broken low energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes

Handle with care as they contain mercury. It is good practice to minimise unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as the risk of cuts from glass fragments. A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up a broken bulb or tube. Health Protection Agency advice is to:

• Ventilate the room (15 minutes is suggested).
• Place fragments in a plastic bag (you may wish to wear rubber gloves). The bag doesn’t need to be air tight but should be reasonably sturdy.
• Wipe the area with a damp cloth, and then place that in the bag.
• Sticky tape (for example, duct tape or similar) can be used to pick up small residual pieces or powder from soft furnishings. The tape can then be placed in the bag.
• Double bag by sealing the bag and placing it in another similar bag and sealing that one as well.

When double bagged and sealed, the broken bulb can be taken to be put in the low energy light bulb bins at recycling centres. Please take care that glass fragments do not cut the sealed bags or your fingers.

Do not take ammunition or explosives to recycling centres. Phone the police on 101 to get advice. If you find what could be unexploded ordnance, phone 999 immediately.

Do not put fireworks, even when fully spent, on the bonfire or bury them. Fully spent fireworks (but not if misfired or partly spent) can be put out with refuse or in disposal skips at recycling centres. Misfired or partly spent fireworks should be soaked in a container of water and the manufacturer or supplier contacted for guidance on disposal.

Return unused medicines to a pharmacist. If you need a clinical collection for disposal of medical waste, contact your council for details of the free clinical waste collection service.

Recycling sites do not accept mercury. You should contact specialist hazardous waste processors.

You cannot take petrol and diesel to the recycling centres. Petrol and diesel should be taken to a garage for reuse or disposal. Fuel must be removed from all machinery intended for recycling, such as mowers, strimmers etc.

You can take old plastic oil tanks to a recycling site for disposal free of charge. Before you arrive ensure the tank is completely dry inside and contains no oil. Contact your local recycling centre before arriving to ensure they have capacity to accept your old tank.

Roofing felt that contains bitumen is classified as a hazardous waste and can only be disposed of via the Priorswood Material Recovery Facility adjacent to the Taunton (Priorswood) Recycling Centre. To arrange disposal, call 01823 338035 (Option 4).  For prices, see “construction and demolition waste” on the Biffa commercial waste price list on the business waste page.

These may contain asbestos and so should not be broken up, but handled and disposal arranged in the same way as for cement bonded and sheet asbestos. Read more about asbestos disposal.