The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and—let’s be honest—a bit of chaos. Between decorating, shopping, and hosting, it’s easy to overlook the environmental impact of our festivities. One of the most overlooked culprits? Old or broken holiday lights.
Each year, millions of strands of holiday lights are discarded, often ending up in landfills. But there’s a better way. At SecureShred, we’re making it easy and convenient to recycle your holiday lights responsibly—and we invite you to join us in making this season a little greener.
Why Recycle Holiday Lights?
Holiday lights may look cheerful, but they contain materials that can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of. Most strands are made with plastic insulation, copper wiring, and sometimes glass bulbs. When tossed in the trash, these materials contribute to:
- Landfill overflow: Non-biodegradable components take decades to break down.
- Toxic leaching: Metals and plastics can release harmful substances into soil and groundwater.
- Missed opportunities: Valuable materials like copper can be reclaimed and reused.
By recycling, you’re helping reduce waste, conserve resources, and support a circular economy—where materials are reused instead of discarded.
What Happens When You Recycle Lights?
When you drop off your holiday lights at SecureShred, they’re processed through responsible recycling channels. This ensures:
- Safe disposal of non-recyclables
- Reclamation of valuable metals
- Reduced environmental impact
It’s a small action with a big ripple effect.
Convenient Drop-Off at SecureShred Valparaiso
We know your time is valuable, especially during the holidays. That’s why we’ve made recycling your lights as easy as possible. Simply bring your unwanted or broken strands to our Valparaiso facility and drop them off at Door 17.
Beyond Lights: Building a Culture of Sustainability
Recycling holiday lights is just one way to reduce your environmental footprint during the holidays. Here are a few other tips to keep your celebrations eco-friendly:
- Switch to LED lights: They use less energy and last longer.
- Reuse decorations: Avoid single-use items when possible.
- Recycle wrapping paper: Skip the glittery or foil types—they’re not recyclable.
- Compost food waste: Holiday meals often lead to leftovers—compost what you can.
Every small step counts, and together, we can make a meaningful impact.
Final Spark: Let’s Light the Way to a Greener Holiday
SecureShred is proud to be part of a community that values sustainability. By recycling your holiday lights, you’re not just clearing out clutter—you’re helping protect our planet for future generations.
So, before you toss that tangled strand in the trash, think twice. Drop it off at Door 17 in Valparaiso, and let’s make this season shine a little brighter—for all the right reasons.