Bensenville starts holiday light recycling program for an eco-friendly holiday season

As Clark Griswold knows, there's nothing more frustrating than decorating the whole house, or putting the final touches on the Christmas tree only to discover that all your hard work has been derailed by a dead strand of lights.

Holiday cheer is ruined, and into the garbage they go. Imagine the amount of waste that accumulates from the many others who find themselves in this situation every year.

This year, make the holiday cheer extend even further by recycling your holiday décor.

The Village of Bensenville has partnered with Elgin Recycling to provide free holiday lights recycling for Bensenville residents. Drop-off boxes are located at village hall and the Public Works building and will be available during business hours until the end of February. All types of holiday string lights are accepted, working or not.

"Now more than ever we are all searching for ways to be more sustainable and do what we can to protect our environment," said Village President Frank DeSimone. "Holiday lights are something almost everyone in the village is using so it's a big step forward to provide our residents with a way to recycle those and turn them into something new."

Looking for other ways to be more sustainable this holiday season?

The Village of Bensenville has a number of other tips to ensure an eco-friendly holiday season.

• Recycle your Christmas tree;

• Buy sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, silk and wood;

• Shop small, shop local, shop fair trade;

• Use fabric gift wrap instead of paper rolls;

• Use natural decorations like pine wreaths for centerpieces;

• Avoid Styrofoam and paper products when serving dinner for friends and family;

• Use LED lights and only use them when you're around to enjoy them;

• Send e-cards instead of traditional holiday cards;

• Gift green presents like bicycles, transit passes and gift cards to local shops and grocers.

For more information on the Bensenville holiday light recycling program, visit www.bensenville.il.us.