Once again, Im seeing post after post on CL "Come get my lights or they go in the garbage"
I try to reply to those messages by informing the OP that if no one picks up their lights there are other alternatives!
Almost every household has a string or two or three, like mine, of broken lights. Those strings you don't know what to do with.
You change one bulb, two, three, change the fuse and nothing happens, you get frustrated and add it to the pile. Instead of throwing them in the trash a few organizations including charities, recycle incandescent light strings. These places take the light strings apart and recycle most of the parts like the copper, glass and plastic.
Why have that stuff leeching pollutants into the earth when the materials could be used again?
Google 'recycle Christmas lights and your zip code' for drop off locations in your area.
In my city of Seattle I can take my lights to Whole Foods & Woodland Park Zoo.
treehuggervintage informed us that Walmart in St. Louis, started taking old holiday lights this year.
If you are unable to recycle your lights in your area you can mail them.
This program recycles your lights and benefits children plus give a 10% discount on purchases.
Visit:
Recycle Christmas Lights for the Kids Campaign
Another program:
HolidayLEDs.com
They send you a coupon for 15% off on purchases.
HolidayLEDs.com
Attn: Recycling Program
2500 W. Argyle St.
Jackson, MI 49202
Please post this information on your blogs, let everyone you know there is a better way to dispose of those light strings.
Want your Christmas & Holiday cards to go to a good cause?
Instead of throwing out or recycling your holiday cards-- donate them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children-- the kids use them to create new cards and sell.
May you all have a happy and green holiday season!
