Arlington Heights Offers Holiday Lights Recycling Program

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Have you happened upon a string of lights that were not working while going through your holiday decorations? Instead of tossing those holiday lights into the garbage, village officials are asking residents to consider recycling the lights or extension cords.

You can do so by dropping the items off at the Health & Human Services Department at village hall or the public works center, 222 N. Ridge Avenue, according to a news release.

Last year, when 51 towns participated in the Elgin Recycles program, 10,747 pounds of holiday lights were recycled instead of being thrown away. For the 11th year of this program, Elgin Recycling is hoping to recycle more than 110,000 pounds of holiday lights, according to a news release.

Lights that will be accepted for the program include mini-lights, C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords. All colors and lengths will be accepted, according to the news release.

Garland, live greens, wreaths or other non-recyclables will not be accepted as part of this program.