Dunn County residents set holiday light recycling record

Dunn County residents set a new record this year for holiday light recycling. Through the free Recycle Your Holidays program, approximately 920 pounds of lights were recycled! This program was made possible by the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and Dunn County Solid Waste & Recycling Division.

Recycle Your Holidays takes place from November 15 through the end of January each year. To dispose of holiday lights before the start of next season’s kick off, lights can be placed in the scrap metal bin at the Dunn County Transfer Station or any Area Collection Station.

Over 840,000 pounds of holiday lights have been recycled since RAM began the program, with 450 organizations participating. Strands are dismantled by individuals with disabilities at vocational centers in Minnesota and recycled locally. The program provides meaningful green jobs for nearly 400 individuals with disabilities each year.

According to the United States Department of Energy, LED holiday lights save up to 90% of the energy used by traditional incandescent holiday lights. Next season when you replace those old lights, consider trying LEDs!

For more information, visit Dunn County Solid Waste & Recycling Division’s website at www.co.dunn.wi.us or call 715-232-4017.