Recycle Your Non-working Holiday Lights

Now there’s a recycling option for that frustrating tangle of holiday lights that just won’t work.  Olmsted County is partnering with the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and their Recycle Your Holidays™ program. Look for the green bins coming soon to the lobbies of the 2117 and 2122 Campus Buildings and the Government Center Rotunda.  You are encouraged to drop off your old, broken holiday lights throughout the holiday season.

Recycle Your Holidays™ is a Free, non-profit run, grass-roots program of The Recycling Association of Minnesota.  “Recycle Your Holidays recycles every part of the light strings.  Even the little lights are recycled by another project partner Green Lights Recycling.” stated Ellen Telander, Executive Director of RAM.  “Our goal last year was to recycle 50,000 pounds of lights which we more than doubled! This year our goal is to recycle over 200,000 light strands and to encourage Minnesotans to use LED light strands instead, which will save a lot of energy.” 

This year’s program partners are working with many businesses and public organizations throughout the state to recycle holiday lights, educate Minnesotans about recycling, increase the statewide use of energy efficient LED lights, and provide meaningful jobs for adults with disabilities. 

Unlike any other holiday lights recycling program in the country, RAM will recycle all lights and cords free of charge by working with Jobs Plus, a local vocational center that provides meaningful jobs and job training for adults with disabilities.  Another great added benefit is the reduction of waste going to landfills.

For more information about Recycle Your Holidays™, the state-wide effort to recycle holiday lights, visit www.recycleminnesota.org.

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