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Holiday lights recycling
Do you have a pile of burned-out holiday lights? Are you replacing your old holiday lights with energy-efficient LEDs (light-emitting diode)? Don't put the old holiday lights in the garbage, recycle them. Holiday lights are free to recycle through these programs unless otherwise noted below.
A group of retailers and organizations offer holiday lights recycling programs. These programs send the lights to processors that recycle the copper wire inside.
(updated January 2025)
Local drop-off recycling programs
For drop-off programs, call first to verify they are accepting lights and find out any restrictions for acceptance.
- Maple Leaf Ace Hardware neighborhood store in north Seattle.
- McLendon Hardware – All 7 Puget Sound area locations
- Uptekk recycling drop-off center in Auburn
- West Seattle Recycling drop-off center
Send-in recycling programs
You will need to pay shipping costs to send in your lights.
The subscription household recycling service Ridwell also seasonally accepts holiday lights with other recyclables.
Recycling programs may ask you to remove the larger glass bulbs (the smaller bulbs are okay), as well as any plastic attachments. The glass and plastic are not recyclable and should be thrown away.
Other businesses and organizations may also offer holiday lights recycling programs.
When shopping for new holiday lights, ask the retailer if they have a recycling program. Thank you for recycling your holiday lights!