Rice County Offers Holiday Light Recycling

Don't throw those old broken Christmas lights out, Rice County is offering free recycling!

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, it is estimated that more than 1 million tons of waste are produced by households above what is typically generated. In an effort to reduce that, Rice County is offering free recycling for old, unwanted, or no longer working holiday lights.

Bins for holiday light recycling will be located near the front entrance to the Rice County Government Services Building at 320 Third St. N.W., Faribault. Lights may be dropped off at the Rice County Recycling Center and Landfill at 3800 145th St. E. in Dundas. ACE Hardware locations at 670 Water Street South in Northfield and 421 Second Ave. N.W. in Faribault will also be offering holiday light recycling.

Rice County Environmental Services would also like to encourage residents thinking about updating their holiday lights to consider replacing old incandescent lights with newer energy-efficient LED styles. It is reported by the U.S. Department of Energy that LED lights have a longer life and consume 70 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, resulting in a lower energy bill for consumers. Additionally, LED lights are sturdier and less likely to break, so they will last longer.

If you would like additional information about holiday light recycling or other recycling, please contact the Rice County Solid Waste Facility at (507) 332-6833.