The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) and its member communities are offering a Holiday Light Recycling Program at no cost to its residents.
All holiday string lighting and extension cords can be dropped off at various locations throughout northern Cook County. Garland, live greens, wreaths or other non-recyclables are not accepted in this program.
The following communities have drop-off locations: Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Mount Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Wheeling, Wilmette and Winnetka. The exact locations and drop-off hours can be found at swancc.org.
“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 – making the Season much brighter,” states 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.