How To Get Rid Of Your Tree, Old Lights In Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The holiday season is over, and Newtown Township is looking to make de-holidaying residential homes easier.

Public Works crews are collecting Christmas trees set out on curbs now through Jan. 16.

Trees set out for collection should be free of bags, decorations, lights, and tinsel.

And, officials said those with old or broken holiday lights should not set them out with curbside recycling.

Due to lights' mix of wiring, plastic, glass, and electronics, including them in recycling materials can damage equipment, officials said.

"By taking a few extra minutes at the end of the Christmas season we can all make a meaningful difference," Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Committee member Dave Galluch said. "Never place lights in curbside recycling. Set aside working strands for donation. Bring broken sets to a nearby drop off location such as MOMs, participating hardware stores, or a local scrap metal recycler. Small actions add up quickly!"

Separate working light strings from nonworking ones. If a strand still lights up, consider donating it. Local schools, churches, resale shops, or neighbors may be able to use it. Reusing an item is always better than recycling it.

If the lights no longer work, remove batteries or accessories and coil the strand neatly. Some drop off locations prefer that lights arrive untangled to improve the efficiency of sorting.

Finally, never place string lights in your curbside recycling bin. Even one strand can damage sorting machinery.

Newtown Township does not currently run a light recycling program. However, residents have several good options within easy driving distance.

MOMs Organic Market, located at 1149 E. Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr, runs a holiday light recycling program each winter. They accept both working and nonworking strands. They with a specialty recycler that separates out the copper, glass, and plastic so that each material can be reused. This is typically the closest, dependable option for many residents of Newtown Township.

Stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and ACE Hardware have a history of offering seasonal holiday light recycling programs. These programs often run from mid-November through early January.

Availability varies by store and year, so it is a good idea to call ahead. Several Home Depot and Lowe’s locations in the Springfield, Broomall, and Upper Darby areas have participated in the past.

Although not holiday specific, many scrap metal facilities in and near Delaware County accept string lights because the copper wiring can be recovered. Light strands should be clean and free of batteries.

For residents in eastern Delaware County, scrap recyclers in nearby Havertown, Upper Darby, and Philadelphia are often willing to take them. It is best to call first to confirm. Scrapyards are one of the most reliable year round options.