As the holiday season approaches and Plymouth residents begin to untangle their festive ornaments, the City of Plymouth has launched a program that encourages environmental responsibility. Starting Nov. 18, a free holiday lights recycling service will be available to the community. It's an effort to combat the increase in waste that often accompanies the festive cheer.
Residents can bring their old or defective string lights and extension cords to the city’s Recycling Drop-Off Site at 14900 23rd Ave. N., from Nov. 18 through Jan. 31. The site, accepting lights at all hours, will have collection boxes designated specifically for this purpose. According to the official announcement, citizens should not put these items in regular recycling containers as they can lead to equipment damage.
The city has set guidelines for what's acceptable for recycling under the program – any type of bulb in string lights including LED is okay, but they draw the line at pre-lit Christmas trees and other light-up decor like lawn fixtures and fiberoptic lights. Found tangled and unusable, wires and electric cords often make their way into curbside bins mistakenly; however, these cause significant problems at recycling centers and are not permitted.
For those who miss the opportunity to recycle at the designated drop-off site or wish to dispose of their holiday lights after the program ends, Hennepin County offers an alternative. Residents can drop off their lights year-round for free at a Hennepin County drop-off facility. "Don't Throw Holiday Lights in Curbside Recycling Bins," reminds the city's bulletin, emphasizing the importance of separating these items from regular recycling to prevent equipment damage.
