In a move designed to help reduce waste during the holiday season, the City of Plymouth has initiated a free holiday lights recycling program starting Tuesday, Nov. 18. As reported by the city's official website, Plymouth residents will be able to drop off their old or broken string lights and extension cords at the city’s Recycling Drop-Off Site, 14900 23rd Ave. N through Jan. 30.
The program is set to make it easier for locals to responsibly dispose of these items that are all too often tossed in curbside bins, which actually poses a risk to recycling plant equipment. The marked collection boxes will be available at all hours, and all types of string lights are welcome, including LEDs that have ceased to shine. However, folks should be aware that they will need to avoid the temptation to just throw everything in willy-nilly—the program will not be accepting pre-lit trees or light-up lawn ornaments.
According to the City of Plymouth announcement, materials that are ineligible for this program include pre-lit Christmas trees, fiber-optic lights, and various other light-up décor, not limited to standard string lights and cords. The city urges residents to understand that while it's essential to recycle, proper sorting is equally vital to ensure the process operates smoothly and efficiently.
Residents are reminded not to place holiday lights and similar items in their curbside recycling bins. These tangling hazards can seriously damage the recycling processing equipment. Options for disposing of ineligible materials include taking them to a Hennepin County drop-off facility or, as a last resort, putting them in the trash. More information and year-round recycling services can be found by visiting Hennepin County's official website.
