Every December, I pull out the tangled mess of Christmas lights, hoping this is the year every strand works. Yet, without fail, at least one set refuses to light up, leaving me with the same holiday dilemma: what to do with broken Christmas lights?
Throwing them in the trash may seem like the easiest fix — but it’s far from harmless. Once in a landfill, old string lights can take up to 450 years to decompose. During that time, their plastic coatings, glass bulbs, and metals like copper and lead can leach toxic substances into the soil and water.
Whether it’s a single strand of burnt-out bulbs or a box of outdated decorations, figuring out how to dispose of Christmas lights responsibly matters more than most people realize.
Learning how to recycle Christmas lights is one of the simplest ways to keep holiday waste out of landfills and recover valuable materials. So before you toss those old holiday lights, let’s explore your options — and why the right choice can make your season brighter for both you and the planet.
Key Takeaway: Are Christmas Lights Recyclable?
Yes—you can recycle Christmas lights, but not in curbside bins. Recycle broken Christmas lights at a certified e-waste recycler, at hardware-store programs like Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware, or via a mail-in service. Many city public-works/solid-waste centers also run year-round or seasonal drop-offs. Donate working sets to thrift charities.
Can You Recycle Christmas Lights?
Yes — you can recycle Christmas lights, but not in your curbside recycling bin. Most municipal recycling programs don’t accept string lights because they can tangle in sorting machines. Instead, take them to an e-waste recycling center or use a certified mail-in program to ensure they’re processed safely.
Old and broken Christmas lights contain recyclable copper wiring, glass bulbs, and plastic coatings. At a proper recycling facility, these materials can be separated and reused instead of ending up as long-term pollution in landfills.
Every holiday season, millions of strands are thrown away, often ending up in landfills or waterways where plastics and metals harm wildlife. Recycling Christmas lights prevents these pollutants from entering the environment and helps recover valuable resources we’d otherwise need to mine from scratch.
Copper wire is the real treasure inside your old lights. It’s endlessly recyclable and in high demand for new electronics and wiring. Choosing to recycle broken string lights instead of tossing them helps reduce the need for environmentally damaging copper mining.
Can You Throw Away Christmas Lights?
No — you shouldn’t throw away Christmas lights, and in many U.S. states, it’s illegal. States like California classify them as universal waste, while New York bans putting covered electronics in household trash entirely. Violations can result in fines of $100 or more.
Curbside recycling isn’t an option either. String lights are considered “tanglers” at material recovery facilities (MRFs) — they wrap around sorting equipment, jam machinery, and cause costly shutdowns. Even a few strands in the wrong bin can contaminate an entire batch of recyclables.
Tossing them out is also a waste of recoverable materials. Each strand contains copper wiring (worth recycling due to high market demand), glass bulbs, and durable plastics. Once landfilled, these resources are lost for decades instead of being reused in manufacturing.
What to do instead:
- E-waste drop-off centers — Many municipalities accept string lights year-round.
- Seasonal collection drives — Some hardware stores and city programs collect lights during the holidays.
- Certified mail-in recycling programs — Convenient if local drop-offs aren’t available.
- Donation — If the lights still work, give them to thrift stores, charities, or schools.
Before disposing of old lights, check your local e-waste laws — proper disposal isn’t just environmentally responsible, it can keep you from breaking the law.
⚠️ Note: Local rules vary. A few municipalities allow trash disposal of certain older incandescent-only strands, but curbside recycling is still a no, and recycling is the preferred, policy-aligned option. Check your local guidance to recycle Christmas lights legally.
Where and How to Recycle Christmas Lights (4 Best Options for String Light Recycling)
If you’re wondering where and how to recycle old Christmas lights, the answer depends on their condition. Working lights can be donated to thrift stores or charities, while broken Christmas lights should go to a certified e-waste recycler, hardware store drop-off, or municipal recycling program.
These options keep string lights out of landfills, prevent harmful materials from entering the environment, and recover valuable copper, glass, and plastic for reuse.
1. Certified E-Waste Recycling Centers
The safest and most reliable way to recycle Christmas lights is to bring them to a certified e-waste recycling center. Certified recyclers follow strict environmental and safety standards, ensuring toxic materials like lead are handled properly. They also prevent unethical overseas dumping, where some operators burn plastic off wires to extract copper.
Why Choose Certified E-Waste Recyclers?
- Ensures safe, ethical recycling.
- Keeps valuable copper, glass, and plastics in the manufacturing loop.
- Often free or low-cost.
Tip: If mailing them in, use the smallest possible box to reduce shipping costs.
2. Donate Working Christmas Lights
If your lights still work, donation is the most eco-friendly choice. Many people upgrade to LED string lights for energy savings, leaving perfectly usable incandescent strands behind.
Where to Donate Christmas Lights
- Goodwill — Call ahead to confirm acceptance.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores — Accept donations at multiple locations nationwide.
- Local thrift shops or community organizations.
Why Choose Donation?
- Extends the life of your lights.
- Helps others decorate affordably.
- Keeps usable lights out of landfills.
⚠️ Tip: Test each strand before donating to ensure it’s ready for reuse. Broken Christmas lights are NOT acceptable for donation.
3. Hardware Store Drop-Off Programs
Many major hardware chains offer seasonal recycling drop-offs for old Christmas lights. This is one of the easiest options if you’re already shopping for replacements.
Which Hardware Store Accept Broken Christmas Lights
Why Choose Hardware Stores?
- Convenient — combine with other errands.
- Often free during the holiday season.
⚠️ Note: Always call ahead — not all hardware stores will accept old or broken Christmas lights.
4. Local Municipal Waste Facilities
Some municipal waste facilities have year-round or seasonal drop-off points for string lights. They either process the lights on-site or send them to specialized recyclers.
Why Choose Municipal Waste Facilities?
- Often local and inexpensive.
- Supports municipal recycling programs.
Tip: Check your city’s waste management website for guidelines and seasonal events.
Which Christmas Lights Recycling Option Should You Choose?
- Working lights? Donation is best.
- Broken lights? Certified e-waste recycler or hardware store program.
- No local drop-off? Use a mail-in recycling service.
By matching the method to your situation, you’ll keep old Christmas lights out of landfills, avoid fines, and make sure valuable materials are reused responsibly.
Recycle Christmas Lights with GreenCitizen — Bay Area Drop-Off and Nationwide Options
While GreenCitizen specializes in high-tech electronics recycling, we partner with Zarc Recycling to recycle Christmas lights. Zarc uses a specialized process that grinds down the lights, then separates metals like copper from plastics for reuse.
This keeps valuable resources in circulation and prevents harmful materials from ending up in landfills or being burned in unsafe overseas operations.
Since 2005, GreenCitizen has helped over 400,000 residents and 70,000 businesses recycle electronics safely, preventing more than 32 million pounds of e-waste from reaching landfills.
Christmas lights require specialized recycling because their wires, plastics, and glass are difficult for curbside programs to process.
Many municipalities even ban string lights from regular recycling bins because they can tangle machinery. GreenCitizen ensures your old or broken Christmas lights are handled ethically and in compliance with environmental regulations.
Bay Area Christmas Light Recycling Drop-Off
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, GreenCitizen makes it easy to recycle old or broken Christmas lights.
How it works:
- Fill out the drop-off form — Enter “Christmas lights” under the” All Other Items” text box.
- Know the fee — Christmas lights are accepted for $1 per pound.
- Visit our Burlingame EcoCenter during open hours.
- Weigh and pay — Our team will weigh your items and process payment (contactless available).
Why choose this option?
- Certified, ethical recycling in compliance with California e-waste laws.
- Prevents valuable copper and plastics from being lost to landfills.
- Convenient local service for Bay Area residents.
Mail-In Christmas Light Recycling — Nationwide
Not in the Bay Area? GreenCitizen offers a mail-in Christmas light recycling service anywhere in the U.S.
How it works:
- Complete the mail-in form — Include the weight of your lights.
- Get a quote and pay online — Quick and secure.
- Ship your lights — Use your preferred carrier.
- Processing confirmation — We’ll notify you when your items are being recycled.
Why choose this option?
- Nationwide access to certified recycling.
- Perfect for broken Christmas lights if no local program exists.
- Keeps hazardous materials out of the environment.
Find Local Recycling Centers with the Green Directory
Prefer to recycle your lights locally? The Green Directory lists certified recyclers across the U.S. — simply enter your ZIP code and the item you want to recycle.
Why choose this option?
- Find recycling centers near you without shipping.
- All listed facilities meet environmental standards.
- Includes seasonal programs that accept Christmas lights during the holidays.
Why Should You Recycle Christmas Lights?
Recycling Christmas lights is more important than many people realize. Each year, millions of strands — from tangled string lights to broken holiday decorations — end up in the trash.
By choosing to recycle instead, you can protect the environment, recover valuable materials, and even save money.
1. Recover Valuable Resources
Old Christmas lights contain copper wiring, durable plastics, and glass bulbs — all of which can be recycled and reused in new products. Recycling reduces the need for mining and oil extraction, cutting down on the environmental damage caused by raw material production.
2. Reduce Landfill Waste
Every broken strand tossed in the trash adds to the growing landfill problem. String lights take decades — even centuries — to break down, leaching metals and chemicals into soil and water. Recycling keeps these materials out of landfills and prevents pollution.
3. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Recycling broken Christmas lights gives you a reason to switch to LED or even solar-powered options. These alternatives use far less electricity, last longer, and lower your utility bills — a win for your wallet and the planet.
Creative Ways to Reuse Old or Broken Christmas Lights
If your old Christmas lights still work — even partially — you don’t have to recycle them right away. Reusing string lights can give them a second life, reduce waste, and add a warm touch to your home décor.
Here are some easy ideas to try:
- Bedroom décor: Wrap them around a wardrobe, headboard, or curtain rod for a cozy glow.
- Night-light solution: String them along a shelf or wall in a child’s bedroom to make bedtime less daunting.
- Patio lighting: Use outdoor-rated lights to add ambiance to summer evenings.
- Holiday jar lanterns: Place a battery-powered strand in a mason jar for a simple table centerpiece.
- Seasonal wreaths: Weave them into a wreath for year-round decoration.
With a little creativity, you can keep your old Christmas lights out of landfills and enjoy them in new ways. And when they finally stop working, you’ll already know the best recycling options to choose.
A quick safety tip: Always check for frayed wires or damaged plugs before reuse, and only use outdoor-rated lights outside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Lowes recycles old Christmas lights. Each store has a recycling station, which is usually at the entrance where you can drop off broken lights. And it doesn’t have to be during the holiday season as they will accept them at any time.
Recycling centers and most DIY stores take old Christmas lights. This is the easiest way if you want to make sure they are correctly dealt with. There are also some mail-in ways, which may be ideal if you don’t have a local drop-off point.
No, old Christmas lights generally aren’t worth anything, especially if they don’t work anymore. Some DIY stores offer store credit to encourage recycling, so you may want to keep an eye out for such offers.
Yes, Goodwill accepts Christmas decorations and lights year-round. Just keep in mind that you should ideally bring them to a local Goodwill store in working order, as they are probably not worth investing time and effort into fixing.
Recycled Christmas lights are broken down into their individual components to become the raw material for new products. Grinding up the strings separates the copper and PVC, and other metals are also removed. These are all valuable commodities for electronics manufacturing.
Donate or Recycle Christmas Lights for a Greener Holiday
As the holiday season wraps up, you might be wondering — can you recycle Christmas lights that are broken, outdated, or tangled? The answer is yes, and doing so keeps valuable copper, glass, and plastic out of landfills while reducing holiday waste.
If your lights still work, donate them to thrift stores, charities, or community groups so they can brighten another home. If they’re broken, choose responsible recycling through a certified e-waste facility, hardware store program, or mail-in service.
Before you pack away your decorations, decide where your old or broken Christmas lights will go. Use GreenCitizen’s drop-off, nationwide mail-in program, or Green Directory to find a certified recycling center near you — and keep holiday waste out of landfills for good.
Small actions add up. By choosing eco-friendly disposal, you’ll help keep landfills lighter, oceans cleaner, and the planet a little brighter — season after season.
