7 Ways to Reuse Light Bulbs

7 Ways to Reuse Light Bulbs

Upcycling old light bulbs can be surprisingly fun and artistic! Here are some creative ways to transform and reuse light bulbs into charming decorations, mini planters, and more:

💡 Creative Light Bulb Upcycle Ideas

🌱 1. Mini Terrariums

• Carefully remove the insides of a light bulb.
• Add moss, small stones, and tiny air plants or succulents.
• Display upright in a small stand or hang with twine.

💧 2. Hanging Vases

• Fill the bulb with water and insert a flower stem.
• Hang from wire or twine as floating flower holders.

🕯️ 3. Oil Lamps

• Add lamp oil and a wick.
• Mount safely to a base (like a bottle cap or wooden stand).
• Note: Do this only with caution and proper ventilation.

🐤 4. Animal or Bird Sculptures

• Use the bulb as a base for crafting penguins, birds, or bees.
• Paint them and add wings or feet with wire, felt, or clay.

🎄 5. Christmas Ornaments

• Paint the outside with festive designs (snowmen, reindeer, etc.).
• Add glitter, ribbon, or felt to make them pop.
• Screw in an ornament hook or hot glue on a loop of string.

🌎 6. Tiny Globe or Earth Model

• Paint the glass to look like a mini Earth—great for Earth Day displays.

🍬 7. Candy or Spice Shakers

• Clean thoroughly and fill with colored sugar, salt, or tiny candies.
• Attach a small cork or screw-on lid with a hole punched in it.

Why don’t we use old lightbulbs anymore?

There are a few key reasons we don’t use old (incandescent) lightbulbs much anymore:

Energy Efficiency

Old incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy — up to 90% of it is lost as heat, not light. Newer types like LEDs and CFLs use way less electricity for the same brightness and stay cooler.

Short Lifespan

Incandescents typically last about 1,000 hours, while LEDs can last 15,000–50,000 hours. So people (and businesses) save money and time replacing bulbs less often.

Environmental Concerns

Using less energy means less pollution, especially from power plants that burn fossil fuels. Many places have phased out inefficient bulbs to help combat climate change.

Regulations

Governments around the world — including the U.S., EU, and others — have banned or heavily restricted the sale of incandescent bulbs in favor of more efficient tech.

Heat Risk

Because they run so hot, old bulbs can be a fire hazard or burn your fingers if you touch them too soon.

They still have charm, though — we need to reuse light bulbs especially for upcycling!

When did we stop using incandescent bulbs?

We didn’t stop completely all at once, but here’s the timeline of when incandescent bulbs started to phase out — especially in the U.S. and around the world:

🇺🇸 United States Timeline

• 2007: The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was signed, setting efficiency standards for lightbulbs.
• 2012–2014: Traditional 100W, 75W, 60W, and 40W incandescent bulbs began being phased out in stages.
• 2020: A rule change paused enforcement of stricter standards.
• 2022: The Department of Energy reinstated the ban.
• August 2023: A full federal ban went into effect — stores can no longer sell most general-purpose incandescent bulbs.

🌍 Around the World

• European Union: Banned most incandescent bulbs starting in 2009, with a full phaseout by 2012.
• Canada: Began phasing out incandescents in 2014.
• Australia: Started banning them back in 2009 — one of the first countries to do so.
• China & India: Also have phaseout plans, encouraging LED use with subsidies and awareness.

Even though decorative or specialty incandescents are still sold, they’re no longer the go-to. LEDs have taken over big time.

Want a retro lighting vibe without the energy drain? There are LEDs that look just like vintage Edison bulbs — perfect for nostalgic feels with a modern twist.

More Repurposing and Upcycling Ideas:

• Upcycled Spoon Stamped Garden Markers
• Clever Repurposed Furniture Ideas
• Repurposed Thrift Store Serving Tray
• Recycled Jar Utensil Holders with Printable
• Long Beach Antique Market
• Roadside Rescue to Worktable