Christmas lights and various holiday leftovers can be recycled

By Robin Schwartz
Fox 2 News

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- They brought joy and sparkle to the season, but if your Christmas lights have lost their luster, don't throw them away.  Those strings of wires and tiny bulbs can be recycled.

For the first time ever, the Resource Recovery Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County is accepting Christmas lights along with other electronic waste.  They can be dropped off at 20000 West Eight Mile in Southfield.

Accepted items include mini lights, C7 and C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords.  Just remove any tinsel, garland or other decorations.

While you're at it, there are other holiday leftovers you can bring along.

"I have a giant pile of cardboard boxes in my backyard from all the presents my children opened up.  So all that cardboard can be recycled.  It's really easy to bring it here to the Southfield drop off and recycle it.  Probably from the holidays a lot of people have leftover wine bottles and champagne bottles and those can all be recycled, too," said recycling coordinator Rachel Pitt.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs should also be recycled.  There is a small amount of mercury in them, and that mercury is considered hazardous waste.  They're not accepted at the RRRASOC, but you can click here for a list of locations where you can take them.  Regular household bulbs, fluorescents and flood lights are also not accepted, but old electronics are.

If you can't make it to Southfield, HolidayLEDS.com recycles Christmas lights that are shipped in the mail and they're give you 25 percent off new LED lights.  Visit their website for more information.  They also have a drop off location at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor.