Information from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
Recycle Your Holiday Lights for Free at Transfer Stations Across Cape Cod
Holiday Lights Recycling Drive Runs November Through January
November 21, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) – Cape Cod residents can recycle their old holiday lights for free this season. Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and AmeriCorps Cape Cod are partnering with all 15 Cape towns to offer the annual holiday lights recycling drive. The program runs now through January 31, 2026, and collection bins are available at every town transfer station.
“This is one of the easiest things people can do to cut down on holiday waste,” said Kari Parcell, Municipal Assistance Coordinator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. “A single broken bulb often leads people to toss the whole strand. Recycling keeps those materials out of our landfills and protects Cape Cod’s environment.”
How to Participate
Bring your old or damaged holiday lights to your town’s transfer station any time between now and January 31, 2026. Look for the Holiday Lights Recycling collection bin and drop them off.
Accepted Items
- Rope lights
- Garland lights
- C7 and C9 bulbs
- Mini lights
- LED holiday lights
Items not accepted include lights attached to artificial trees and lighted decorations such as stars, angels or other figures.
What Happens to the Lights
Many people ask what actually happens to the lights after they are collected. The lights are sent to a recycling vendor that separates the plastic and metal components. The plastic is removed and the metal inside is recovered and melted down so it can be used again. Recycling holiday lights keeps reusable materials out of the landfill and supports Cape Cod’s waste diversion and sustainability goals.
Why This Matters for Cape Cod
Recycling holiday lights helps protect Cape Cod’s natural resources, supports local waste reduction efforts and offers residents a simple way to make a positive environmental impact during the holiday season. This free regional program is one example of how Barnstable County and its partners work year-round to reduce waste and strengthen sustainability across the Cape. More information can be found at www.capecod.gov/holidaylights.
ABOUT CAPE COD COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is the education department for Barnstable County. The Extension provides programs in agriculture, marine resources, horticulture, aquaculture, natural resources, water quality, recycling, household hazardous waste, nutrition, food safety, youth development and environmental education. These programs are offered in partnership with the University of Massachusetts and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant program. Learn more at www.capecod.gov/extension.
ABOUT AMERICORPS CAPE COD: AmeriCorps Cape Cod is a 20-member national service organization operating through Barnstable County. Our program focuses on meeting Cape Cod’s critical and pressing environmental and disaster response needs through a dedication to community service and local collaboration.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.