Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing metal bases from glass bulbs such as fluorescent lamps for the salvaging of raw materials therein for reuse. The method comprises providing an inductive field coil about at least one end of the glass bulb having the metal base, heating the metal base by induction to expand and loosen the same, then gripping and pulling the metal base from the bulb. The bulb is kept intact for later salvaging operations such that the removed bases are uncontaminated by mercury. The apparatus can include non-magnetic grippers such as ceramic jaws for the gripping of the metallic bases.