Christmas Cleanup 101: Dakota County Edition—Recycle Those Lights

Lights

Don't trash those twinklers. Recycle! Dakota County residents can drop off unwanted strands lights through Jan. 31, 2013.

There are several drop-off locations in Lakeville:

• Lakeville City Hall - 20195 Holyoke Ave. (during regular business hours)
• Lakeville Liquors Heritage - County Road 50 & Heritage Dr.
• Lakeville Liquors Galaxie - County Road 46 & Galaxie Ave.
• Lakeville Liquors Kenrick - County Road 46 & Kenrick Ave.
• Ace Hardware Lakeville Downtown - 20810 Holyoke Ave.
• Ace Hardware Lakeville Uptown - 17729 Juniper Path

Outside Lakeville? Heading to Grandmas? There are plenty of places all over Dakota County, too:

Dakota County Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Ave
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Hours: M-F 8am-4:30pm

ACE Hardware & Paint
14760 Pennock Ave
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Call for hours: 952-432-1004

The Recycling Zone
3365 Dodd Road
Eagan, MN 55121
W: 9am-8pm, Th: 12-8pm
F:9am-5pm, Sa:8am-5pm

Pellici ACE Hardware
1565 Cliff Road
Eagan, MN 55122
Call for hours: 651-463-4777

Park Nicollet Health Services
1400 Fairview Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337
Hours: M-F 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-noon

Starting on December 15:

Burnsville Ice Center
251 Civic Center Parkway
Burnsville, MN 55337
Hours: 9am - 9pm

Christmas Trees

Now what to do with the defunct Christmas tree? Word to the wise: It's illegal in Minnesota to put your real Christmas tree or wreath (or any yard waste) in the garbage.

If you don't wish to take it to the compost site yourself, most garbage haulers will provide Christmas tree pick-up service for a few weeks after Christmas. Some ask residents to schedule a special pick-up time. 

Residents also can take their own trees to a compost facility.

There are two within proximity to Burnsville: The Mulch Store in Empire Township and Gertens in Inver Grove Heights. 

A third option is to chop up the tree and compost it in the backyard. Here are some composting tips from Dakota County .

If you went plastic this year, you have several choices. You can throw them out or you can donate fake trees and wreaths.

Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper, tissue paper and gift bags aren't recyclable, according to Dakota County's website, and should go in the garbage. (Another interesting fact listed is that more than 5 million more tons of garbage than usual is produced between Thanksgiving and New Year's day.)