Tips on Recycling Holiday Lights

As you dig through that box of decorations you so hastily put away the year before, you may come across impossible tangled strings of lights or broken bulbs. Before tossing them and heading for the store, those lights could be reused or recycled.

Avoid the Burn-out

While most curbside recycling programs do not accept string lights, some communities may hold events for collection during the holiday season. If that’s not an option, HolidayLEDs.com will accept your old lights via mail.

The lights are processed, and any material that cannot be recycled is discarded. Once enough people send in their old lights, the company takes the large amount to a recycling facility located in Jackson, Miss. The lights are put through a commercial shredder, which chops them into little pieces. The pieces are then further processed and sorted into the various components that make up the lights (pvc, glass, copper.) The materials are then separated and transported to a region center for further processing.

Keep on Sparkling

Don’t toss out your lights if they’re still usable!

• Sell them online or trade them for other goods.
• Donate your lights to a charity, school or thrift store.
• Use them as night lights.
• Use them to decorate a room or patio.
• If your lights run on batteries, use them on your next camping trip or outdoor adventure.

Keep in Mind

• When purchasing strings of lights, double check that the wire has a holographic “UL Listed” tag (this ensures the product has been tested and evaluated for certification by UL’s laboratories).
• Recycle any strings with broken sockets, frayed or exposed wires or those that have loose connections.
• When plugging in multiple strings to increase length, do not exceed more then three consecutive strings of lights.
• Save energy by turning off holiday lights when you leave home or go to bed. Utilize a timer to make this processes easier.