Christmas Lights Alternative ways to recycle Electronic Waste Consider DonationIf the item is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. E-waste CollectionSimilar to other electrical devices that use batteries and plugs, holiday lights are considered electronic waste (e-waste) and are not allowed in any waste container. Some types of string lights may not be hazardous, but they still need special disposal. City Specific Disposal OptionsPlease check with your city page (residential or commercial) to confirm if electronic waste (e-waste) disposal options are available, such as home collection, drop-off locations, and/or events. (These options vary per city.) Household E-Waste Drop-OffYour city or county may offer E-Waste and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off sites and collection events. Check their website for acceptable items list. – Los Angeles County: S.A.F.E. Collection Centers and events (currently not accepted) – Riverside County– San Bernardino County– Ventura County Don't Throw Away Christmas Lights Never throw Christmas lights in the garbage or your curbside recycling: the lightbulb glass breaks easily and the cord gets wrapped around processing machinery. Alternative Ways to Recycle Online Trade-In Programs The online store Holiday LEDs will give you a 15 percent off coupon for mailing in your old lights to be recycled. Christmas Light Source will give you 10 percent off a purchase of new lights for mailing yours in, and donate recycling proceeds to the Dallas/Fort Worth Toys for Tots Foundation. Ways to Reduce Switch to LED LED Christmas lights use 80 percent less energy and can last up to 20 years. If you want to be able to replace individual lights, make sure to choose strings with removable bulbs. Did You Know? How to Repair Broken Christmas Lights