Here's How To Recycle Holiday Lights In Burlington County

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County officials are encouraging residents to recycle their holiday lights and decorations when the season comes to an end.

Recycling takes place at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex, where a permanent electronics disposal center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Resource Recovery Center is located at 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road on the Florence-Mansfield border.

“As Burlington County residents unbox their holiday decorations, we’re asking them to be mindful they don’t needlessly add more waste to landfills,” Burlington County Director Felicia Hopson said. “By recycling spent or unworking lights, residents give the various parts a new useful life. It’s the environmentally friendly way to decorate for the holidays.”

Holiday lights are most often made of plastic, glass and copper and all three materials can be easily recycled. Also, some light strands may contain lead or mercury, so tossing them in the garbage can be hazardous, officials said.

“We’re encouraging everyone to go green while decorating,” said Burlington County Deputy Director Tom Pullion, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “There are plenty of ways for the materials of holiday lights to be repurposed, so please take the time to recycle them at our electronics disposal site. It’s a free service for county residents and the right thing to do.”

Unwanted lights should be placed in cardboard boxes or clear bags when delivering them to the Recovery Complex. Lights should not be discarded in curbside recycling containers.

For more information about proper disposal of electronics, call 609-499-1001 or email recycle@co.burlington.nj.us.