Carmel residents have the opportunity to make this holiday season truly green by recycling lights instead of throwing them away.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 20, residents can recycle used and unwanted lights by taking them to White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center at 731 S. Range Line Road. The recycling drive will continue until Jan. 19 and is sponsored by Carmel Clay School’s Green Teams, Carmel Utilities, the City of Carmel, Technology Recyclers and White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center.
Since the start of the collaborative program in 2011 more than 13 tons of holiday lights have been recycled. Recycling inoperable or inefficient lights keeps those items out of landfills, which reduces the long-term carbon impact on the environment.
New to this year’s program, White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center is offering 10 percent off the purchase of new LED Christmas lights with when you drop off an old set to recycle. This offer is only valid towards the purchase of LED Christmas light sets. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any items already on sale, previously purchased items, other coupons, or in-store discount programs. This offer is valid Nov. 20 to Dec. 17, or while supplies last.
Carmel Utilities recommends using EnergyStar-rated LED lights or light-emitting diodes, which reduces energy usage by 75 percent compared to conventional lights. Not only will you save in energy costs and lower your carbon footprint, but LED lights also have the following advantages:
- Safer: LEDs are much cooler than incandescent lights, reducing the risk of combustion or burnt fingers.
- Sturdier: LEDs are made with epoxy lenses and are much more resistant to breakage.
- Longer lasting: The LED lights last 25 times longer than conventional lights.
For more information about the Holiday Lights Recycling Drive, please contact Kelli Prader at the Carmel Utilities department at (317) 571-2673.