Minn. now accepting old holiday lights in curbside bins

Nov. 25 -- Old holiday light strands can now be placed in curbside recycling bins in some areas of Minnesota, said the Recycling Association of Minnesota.

RAM said it has launched the Recycle Your Holidays light strand collection program at curbside bins and business drop offs throughout the state. The program began Nov. 16.

Randy´s Environmental Services in Delano will be collecting holiday light strands for recycling as part of their curbside collection services. This pilot project is only available to Randy´s customers to test the viability of curbside collection of holiday lights.

Residents in communities not serviced by the Delano company can recycle old and unwanted holiday lights and are urged to drop them off at any participating Snyders Drug Stores, Xcel Energy, the WCCO TV Plaza and many other Minnesota businesses until January 10, 2010. Snyders Drug Stores are also offering $5 coupons for every strand recycled at their locations.

To become a holiday lights collection site in the program call 651-641-4560 or e-mail ram@recycleminnesota.org.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com