Recycle

Where to Recycle Holiday Lights

Got old holiday lights? Don’t trash ’em.

Did you know that Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday time frame, which equals an extra 25 million tons of garbage?

Don’t add to that number!

Have those holiday lights that stopped working? Or maybe you have so many lights you don’t want what to do with them?

If they’re working, see if you can give them to a friend or neighbor through the Facebook Buy Nothing project.

If they’re not working, there’s a recycling program for that.

MOM’s Organic Market takes holiday lights, working or not, and recycles them! In their new life, they’ll be turned into roofing and construction materials, piping, car batteries, other electronics, lead wheel weights, flatware, jewelry, and more!

Thanks to our reader & Green Philly Insider Nicole for the tip that inspired this post!


Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.

Recent Posts

Midterm election results, climate preparedness toolkit, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Environmental changemakers celebrated at SustainPHL 2026 Awards. Green…

3 days ago

More than just rain: Understanding South Jersey’s flooding problem

Communities need to prepare to avoid future disasters. This story was originally published by South…

4 days ago

Here are the SustainPHL 2026 Award Recipients

Meet the latest changemakers to take home the awards At a time when sustainability is…

7 days ago

Vigil for Academy, Indigenous garden restoration & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Activists hold march and vigil for Academy of…

2 weeks ago

Energy and restoration grants, bird migration & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Temporary bike lane closer to permanent status. Councilmember…

2 weeks ago

Op-ed: Dinosaurs may be extinct. But the Academy of Natural Sciences doesn’t have to be.

The Academy of Natural Sciences survived for more than two centuries. Now, its future depends…

2 weeks ago