Have old strings of holiday lights? No need to toss them… Recycle!
Holiday lights help brighten the season, but they don’t last forever. When they get old and need replacing, don’t toss them in the garbage—recycle them!
Anytime we recycle instead of throwing things away, we help conserve resources and reduce waste and pollution. The more we can keep materials in the loop and save them from landfills and incinerators, the better for our planet!
But when it comes to recycling, not all items are equal. While many common materials are recyclable through household blue bins, some items—like old strings of holiday lights—may need an extra step to save them from the landfill.
Wondering how to recycle your old holiday lights?
Local drop-off options
Hardware stores
Check with your local hardware store. In some areas, home improvement stores like Ace Hardware might accept holiday lights for recycling year-round, while other programs are only offered seasonally. Lowes and The Home Depot also often offer holiday light recycling trade-in events for old lights.
Grocery stores
Some grocery stores may also host holiday light collection sites. If you happen to live in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., near a Mom’s Organic Market, you’re in luck! They will take old stands of lights off your hands over the holiday season… along with other harder-to-recycle items at their recycling center.
More seasonal drop-off sites
Depending on your location, several seasonal drop-off options may be available nearby. These can include:
-Local recycling centers
-Municipal buildings and libraries
-Community and environmental centers
-Hazardous waste facilities
Eco-Tip: Unsure where to look first? Local recycling centers can be a great resource for all of your recycling questions.
Online recycling directories
You can also use online recycling directories like Earth911 and RecycleNation to see if there are other holiday light recycling options in your area. (Note: You may need to search under “string lights.”) These great websites can help you find recycling options for all kinds of items you no longer need!
Mail-in recycling options
If you are having trouble finding a drop-off location nearby, there is yet another way to keep those lights out of the landfill: You can mail them in for recycling!
Here are a few companies that accept holiday lights for recycling by mail:
Holiday LEDS – This Wisconsin-based company accepts lights by mail and local drop-off. They will even send a coupon towards a future light purchase once they receive holiday lights for recycling!
GreenCitizen – Based in the San Francisco Bay area, GreenCitizen also offers a mail-in program for old string lights and other electronics.
So the next time you have old holiday lights to replace, remember: You have lots of Earth-friendly options!
Want to discover more things you can do to reduce your footprint?
Check out The quick start guide to Going Greener: Shrink your footprint today! to learn more.
