Recycle your old, broken holiday lights

Posted November 30, 2014 10:00 pm

Submitted by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

Recycle your holiday lights at no cost, thanks to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and its member communities.

All holiday string lighting and extension cords can be dropped off at various locations (garland, live greens, wreaths, other nonrecyclables are not accepted).

"Every year, residents find themselves purchasing new strands of lights due to burned-out bulbs, incomplete strands, wanting a different color, etc. Through this recycling program, materials will be reclaimed, reprocessed, made into new products and kept out of the landfills," said Mary Allen, SWANCC's recycling and education director.

SWANCC and the participating communities have partnered with Elgin Recycling Inc. to recycle the lights and cords. The strands are separated and baled and sent to be chopped or shredded and sold as a commodity to foundries and mills in the United States.

For other SWANCC programs visit swancc.org.

Drop-off locations:

• Arlington Heights Public Works, 222 N. Ridge Ave. (847) 368-5800; 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Ends Feb. 27, 2015

• Arlington Heights village hall, Health Department, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road; (847) 368-5760; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Ends Feb. 27.

• Barrington Public Works, 300 N. Raymond Ave., (847) 381-7903; 24-hour outside drop-off at office entrance. Ends March 5.

• Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd., (847) 459-2530; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Ends March 31.

• Buffalo Grove Police Department, 46 Raupp Blvd., (847) 459-2530; 24-hour drop-off. Ends

March 31.

• Elk Grove Village Community Development counter, 901 Wellington Ave. (847) 357-4220; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Ends March 31.

• Hoffman Estates village hall lobby, 1900 Hassell Road, (847) 882-9100; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Ends Feb. 6.

• Mount Prospect Public Works, 1700 W. Central Road, (847) 870-5640; 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Ends Feb. 27.

• Prospect Heights City Hall, 8 N. Elmhurst Road, (847) 398-6070; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Ends March 1.

• Rolling Meadows City Hall, 3600 Kirchoff Road, (847) 394-8500; 24-hour outside drop-off at City Hall entrance. Ends Feb. 13.

• Wheeling Public Works, 77 W. Hintz Road, (847) 279-6900; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Ends Feb. 27.

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