Recycle Holiday Lights for Free at Cape Cod Transfer Stations
One strand won’t light. The other is a mystery knot. Before you toss either one, set them aside for recycling.
Cape Cod residents can recycle old, broken, or unwanted holiday string lights for free at their town’s transfer station from October 31, 2026, through January 30, 2027.
All 15 Cape Cod towns participate in this seasonal collection, coordinated by Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and AmeriCorps Cape Cod.
How to recycle your lights
- Gather your old or broken holiday light strands.
- Bring them to your own town’s transfer station during its operating hours.
- Follow staff directions for where to place them.
Your town may use a separate collection container or direct you to the scrap metal recycling area. Both are correct. If staff ask you to put your lights with scrap metal, they will still be recycled.
No transfer station sticker? You can still recycle your lights. Residents can bring holiday string lights to their own town’s transfer station without a sticker through this stewardship program. This access is for holiday lights only. Any other materials require payment at the gate.
✔️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.)
Why recycle holiday lights?
Holiday light strands contain metal that can be recovered for use in new products. Recycling your broken strands helps keep usable material out of the trash.
Keep light strands out of your regular household recycling bin. Bring them to your town’s transfer station instead.
Have lights to recycle outside the collection dates?
Some towns accept holiday lights year-round through their regular recycling programs. Check with your town’s transfer station about availability and drop-off instructions.
Whether you’re clearing out a closet or unpacking decorations, a broken strand can go in the recycling pile on your next transfer station trip.
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.
