How To Recycle Your Old Christmas Lights

As the holidays wind down and the glittering glow of Christmas lights fades, many of us are left wondering: what should we do with those tangled strings of holiday cheer? Whether you discovered a broken string while gearing up for the holidays, one failed you mid season, or you’ve just decided you don’t want to deal with lights anymore, figuring out how to properly dispose of them can be a challenge.

At first glance, tossing your lights in the trash might seem like an option, but beyond taking up space, these discarded decorations pose a real threat to the environment. Christmas lights often contain materials like copper, glass, and plastic, which don’t break down easily. Even worse, some light strings can contain trace amounts of lead, which can leach into soil and drinking water when improperly disposed of.

It’s estimated that consumers and businesses discarded approximately 2.37 million tons of electronics and only 25% of that is recycled.  While Christmas lights might not be the bulk of that waste, they are a contributor and do count. So before you toss those lights into the trash bin, think twice.  With minimal effort, repurposing or recycling responsibly can reduce negative environmental impact making the holioday season a little brighter!

How To Recycle Your Old Christmas Lights

For Non-Working Christmas Lights

1. Take Your Lights To A Recycling Center

If reusing or upcycling your string lights is not an option, this is probably the best and easiest way to dispose of your lights responsibly.  Choose a recycling center that is certified so you know the lights are being handled and disposed of responsibly.  Some centers may strip the lights, while other may transfer them to larger facilities.  Call ahead before you make any trips to confirm they accept string lights.  

2. Find A Retailer Recycling Program

Many retailers like Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware have recycling drop off areas that accept electronic waste.  In more urban areas, like my town, there are companies whose entire operations are collecting e-waste.  Do a quick web search to see what is available near you.

3. Find A Specialized Recycling Services

There are also several mail away programs through sites likes, HolidayLEDs.com, Terracycle.com, GreenCitizen.com.

You can also check with your light manufacturer for coupons and discounts toward new lights for sending in your old ones.

4. Community Recycling Drives

Very often towns and villages will have specified days to pick up holiday items like discarded Christmas tress or items like spent lights.  Whatever you choose to do, DO NOT place them in your the recycling bin as they will damage facility machines and can pose danger to workers.

For Working Christmas Lights

1. Donate to Charity

If you find yourself with working lights you no longer want, consider donating to a local thrift shop or non profits like the Salvation Army or a Veterans charity group.  Get creative and reach out on social media to schools or community centers to see if anyone would like gently used lights.  Just this season, I donated a couple of my old boxes to a  local school for the disabled.

2. Repurpose for Crafts

The possibilities are endless: Use your old Christmas lights for Christmas wreaths, illuminated glass jars, patio lights….  Pop on to Pinterest for creative ways to repurpose your spring lights.

3. Sell or Give Away Online or Locally

With platforms like eBay, Craigslist,  Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle, unloading unwanted string lights is a breeze.  If you don’t want to bother with the hassle of shipping, you can post on Facebook Marketplace for $0 or on Freecycle.org with the “front porch pick up” in the description.  Just schedule a time and leave them outside.  It doesn’t get easier.

Next Holiday Season

A great round of applause to you for doing the eco-friendly thing! It’s little things like disposing of hazardous materials responsibly that help create a safer and healthier world for all.  Small actions can make you a BIG hero!

Don’t forget the most eco-friendly thing you can do next holiday season is to consume less to begin with.  So if you are looking for some fresh decor for any holiday, consider visiting your local thrift store, hosting a holiday swap party where you and your friends bring unwanted items to share and trade, or finding and using natural materials from the world around us that can be returned to nature when you are finished with them.  

In the meantime, keep being you and check back often for more Sustainably Savvy living tips and tricks.  Do you love what you just read?  Join us on social media and share it with your friends!