Holiday Light Recycling Drive Begins Tuesday

The Mid Michigan Waste Authority (MMWA) is beginning its holiday light recycling drive Tuesday, November 15.

Saginaw County residents can drop off their broken, old or out of style holiday string lights at several locations throughout the county until January 15. Over the seven years of the popular project, nearly six tons of unwanted holiday lights were collected, keeping thousands of strings of lights out of the landfill. When deposited in a landfill, it takes between 100 and 1,000 years for holiday lights to decompose, but through the recycling drive old lights will find new life. All sizes, styles and colors of indoor and outdoor string lights can be donated. Only string lights, not other lighted holiday decorations, will be accepted. Lights will not be accepted in curbside recycling pickup.

The MMWA is also partnering with Gary Shepard, organizer of the Freeland Light Show, which runs through January 1 at Hayes Park. Visitors to the show may drop off lights at the collection bin located in the park. For a complete list of drop off locations, visit recyclemotion.org.