MURPHYSBORO – Do you have holiday lights you are no longer using? You can recycle your unwanted holiday string lights, working or non-working, year-round through the Jackson County Electronics Recycling Program at CRC Southern Recycling Center on West Chestnut Street in Carbondale.
In addition to the year-round permanent location in Carbondale, now through Jan 31, six additional drop-off locations are being offered in Jackson County for holiday light recycling. Look for the specially marked collection bin at any of the following locations during their regular business hours:
Jackson County Health Department (inside front & back buildings)
415 Health Department Road, Murphysboro, IL
Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Murphysboro Park District/Murphysboro Youth and Recreation Center
1818 West Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL
Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Carbondale Public Library
405 West Main Street, Carbondale, IL
Mon. – Thurs., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun., 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
SIU Sustainability Hub (inside the SIU Student Center) – Second Floor
1255 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL
Mon – Fri., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Rick Warren Memorial Public Library
114 S. 4th Street, Elkville, IL
Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
First State Bank of Campbell Hill
114 W. Front St., Campbell Hill, IL
Mon – Thurs. 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Types of lights accepted through this collection effort include mini-lights, C7 and C9 bulb lights on a string, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords of any length. Residents should remove lights from any bags or packaging and take off any tinsel, garland, or other decorative items from the light sets before they are dropped off. The lights are shipped to a registered recycling facility where components are broken down for recycling into various new products.
Items not accepted include household light bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps, floodlights or fluorescent tubes. Contact the health department for guidance on disposal of these items.
When shopping for new holiday lights, consider purchasing LED lights, as they are 85% more efficient than traditional holiday light bulbs and will last longer.
If your community organization or location would like to get involved in the holiday light collection effort or for more information about this or other recycling programs, contact Jackson County Health Department 618-684-3143, ext. 128 or visit www.jchdonline.org.
