Free holiday light recycling program offered in Hoffman Estates

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), Elgin Recycling Inc. and the village of Hoffman Estates are partnering to offer a holiday light recycling program, free of charge.

Hoffman Estates residents can bring holiday string lighting and extension cords to the village hall lobby,

1900 Hassell Road, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Saturday, Nov. 17, and ending Monday, Feb. 4. Garland, live greens, wreaths or other nonrecyclables are not accepted in this program.

Last year, the village collected 1,360 total pounds of holiday lights.

“Every year, people purchase new strands of lights due to burned out bulbs, incomplete strands or even wanting a different color. Through this recycling program, materials will be reclaimed, reprocessed, made into new products and kept out of the landfills — making the season much brighter,” said Mary Allen, SWANCC’s recycling and education director.

SWANCC and Hoffman Estates are teaming up with Elgin Recycling Inc. to recycle the lights and cords.

The collected material will be processed at their Palatine facility. The strands are separated, chopped, baled and sold as a commodity to foundries and mills in the United States.

For other SWANCC programs, visit www.swancc.org.