Local utilities offering drop-offs for recycling energy-hogging holiday lights

The holidays are just around the corner, and with them come all the decorations and lights to brighten up the season. But what to do with that tangled clump of holiday lights? Most people just throw them in the trash…well, not anymore!

In an effort to encourage people to switch over to LEDs, both the City of Grand Marais and Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Inc. are participating in a Christmas light recycling effort and will be collecting both working and non-working holiday lights through the holiday season. LED Christmas lights are brighter and longer lasting than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they use up to 90 percent less energy.

The City of Grand Marais’ “Recycle Your Holidays” drive is sponsored by the Recycling Association of Minnesota, an affiliate of the National Recycling Coalition. This year’s Recycle Your Holidays program is working to increase the statewide use of energy efficient LED lights as well as educate Minnesotans about recycling. The program also provides work for people with disabilities at numerous vocational centers.

“This program is a win-win for recycling and employment,” said Jason Telander, director of the Adult Training and Habilitation Center of central Minnesota. “It provides jobs to individuals with significant barriers to employment and provides free and convenient recycling.”

“Our goal last year was to recycle 50,000 pounds of lights, which we more than doubled!” said Recycling Association of Minnesota Executive Director Ellen Telander. “This year our goal is to recycle over 200,000 light strands and to encourage Minnesotans to use LED light strands instead, which will save a lot of energy.”

Cords collected at Arrowhead Electric will support jobs at MRCI WorkSource in Mankato.

Lights can be dropped off from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Grand Marais City Hall or Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Inc. in Lutsen. Arrowhead Electric’s program runs through December 31, and the City of Grand Marais’ program runs through January 31. City Hall will also be collecting other types of electrical cords such as phone or extension cords.