Holiday cheer in Carmel just got greener with the announcement of the annual Holiday Lights Recycling Drive beginning November 24, giving residents a chance to dispose of their burnt-out or unwanted lights in an eco-friendly way. According to a news release from the City of Carmel, the collective effort driven by Carmel Clay School's Green Teams, Carmel Utilities, Technology Recyclers, and White's Ace Hardware & Garden Center, aims to reduce environmental impact by diverting old holiday lights from landfills.
The initiative calls on the community to deliver their lights to White's Ace Hardware & Garden Center located at 731 South Range Line Rd, where they can be safely recycled until January 9, 2026 and in the spirit of the season, since its inception in 2011, the campaign has successfully recycled more than 19 tons of lights, according to numbers provided by Carmel Utilities, a testament to the recycling program's growing influence and the community's increasing environmental awareness. Furthermore, residents looking to 'light up' their holidays in a more sustainable manner are recommended to switch to EnergyStar-rated LED lights which are not only energy-efficient, significantly shaving off power consumption by up to 75%, but also safer, sturdier, and longer-lasting compared to traditional lighting options.
These LED lights provide clear advantages over incandescent peers — they dramatically decrease the risk of fires and burns due to their cooler operation, promise durability with their epoxy lenses and ensure a prolonged life of service expectations, outlasting their conventional counterparts by 25 times. Kelli Prader from the Marketing & Community Relations department, emphasized these benefits, noting, LED lights are a much safer, more economical option, helping our community save on energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint.
Those looking to participate in the recycling drive or seek further information can reach out directly to Kelli Prader at Carmel Utilities by calling (317) 571-2494.
