Recycle Your Holiday Lights for Free at All Cape Cod Transfer Stations
A simple way to cut down on waste and protect Cape Cod this season
Cape Cod residents can once again recycle old or broken holiday lights for free. Now through January 31, 2026, all 15 towns have collection bins at their transfer stations thanks to a partnership between Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and AmeriCorps Cape Cod.
Why this matters
Every winter, tons of holiday lights end up in the trash, usually because one tiny bulb gives out. Recycling keeps plastic and metal out of our landfills and helps protect the Cape’s fragile environment.
“This is one of the easiest things people can do to reduce holiday waste,” said Kari Parcell, Municipal Assistance Coordinator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. “A single strand can be recycled into new materials instead of taking up space in the landfill.”
How to Participate (It’s Easy!)
1. Gather your old or damaged holiday lights.
2. Bring them to your town’s transfer station.
3. Look for the Holiday Lights Recycling bin and drop them in.
That’s it. No sorting. No fees. No appointment.
✔️What You Can Recycle
- Rope lights
- Garland lights
- C7 and C9 bulbs
- Mini lights
- LED holiday lights
❌ What’s Not Accepted
- Lights attached to artificial trees
- Lighted decorations (stars, angels, figures, etc.)
What Happens to the Lights After You Drop Them Off
People often ask, “Do these really get recycled?”
Yes- and here’s how:
A recycling vendor separates the lights into plastic and metal.
- The plastic is removed.
- The metal is melted down and reused to make new products.
Your old lights don’t end up in the landfill. They become part of something new and help Cape Cod meet its waste-reduction and sustainability goals.
A Small Action With Big Cape Cod Impact
Recycling your holiday lights is a quick way to:
- reduce waste
- protect our natural resources
- support local sustainability efforts
- keep harmful materials out of the environment
This free regional program is one way Barnstable County and our towns are working together to protect the Cape, during the holidays and all year long.
Watch Kari break down the program in this Lower Cape TV interview: https://vimeo.com/104079715
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension: Working for You
Follow Cape Cod Cooperative Extension on Facebook and Instagram for:
- simple waste reduction tips
- recycling updates
- free programs
- seasonal resources
Learn more about all our programs at capecod.gov/extension.
