We hope you are starting to develop your own Waste Free Christmas. Aside from the packaging, one of the most toxic to the environment items you can reuse and recycle are Christmas Tree Lights. Christmas Tree Lights are not biodegradable and they contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
I Just Gotta Eco Ya:
- LED Christmas Lights will save you money and lower your bills. LED lights are 80% more energy efficient and last 7 times longer than those old light.
- Old strings of lights contain metals like copper that can be recycled.
- The Strings can be recycled.
- One in 10 households in the USA use Christmas Tree Lights .
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 10 incandescent strands running all night produces 300 pounds of CO2 versus 30 pounds with LED lights
That said, there is no excuse to throw your old lights into the trash. You have many choices to either resell your lights, donate or reuse in craft or art projects.
To Reuse or Donate
- Check local Goodwill to see if they will take as a donation
- Google your local waste management company to see if they will take back the lights.
- Check your local Home Depot to see if they offer some type of exchange program.
Or you can reuse to make new Holiday Ornaments.
1.) We love these festive Christmas Light earrings.
2.) For the bigger lights, try making a necklace.
3.) Remake into another ornament.
4.) Make a small tree with the old lights.
5.) Make a Wreath
6.) Paint, Glitter or Mod Podge and put into a clear basket or vase.
No matter what the choice you take, keep the lights out of the landfill and recycle them.
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