The City of Carmel encourages residents to recycle their old, broken, or unused holiday lights instead of throwing them away. Residents can take 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 Schools’ 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 lights have been recycled. Recycling inoperable or inefficient lights keeps them out of landfills.
Carmel Utilities recommends using EnergyStar rated LED lights (or light-emitting diodes), which can reduces energy usage by up to 75 percent compared to conventional lights. Not only will you save in energy costs and lower your carbon footprint, 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 can last up to 25 times longer than conventional lights.
For more information about the Holiday Lights Recycling Drive, please call Kelli Prader at the City of Carmel Utilities department at (317) 571-2673.