Portage Co. debuts holiday light recycling program

Metro Wire Staff

The Portage County Solid Waste Department will hold its inaugural Holiday Light Recycling Program through Jan. 2022.

Several drop-off locations have been established throughout the county for residents to drop off strands of lights in a designated receptacle. No lighted figurines, rope lighting, extension cords, bags, or garbage will be accepted. If contamination becomes an issue at any of the locations, the affected location may suspend the program early.

Strands of holiday lights can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

Portage County Material Recovery Facility (MRF), 600 Moore Rd. in Plover
Recycling Connections, 1100 Main St. Suite 120, in Stevens Point. Only leave lights if someone is present
Old Town Center, 2800 Post Rd. in Plover
Amherst Village Hall, 160 Mill St.
Amherst Town Hall, 4023 County Q
Town of Lanark Town Hall/Garage, 7174 County Road TT
Town of Hull Municipal Building, 4550 Wojcik Memorial Dr.

Stands of lights should not be recycled curbside, according to Solid Waster Director Amanda Haffele.

“They wrap around sorting equipment and cause inefficient sorting and costly shutdowns to remove the lights from sorting equipment at recycling centers such as the Portage County Material Recovery Facility,” she said. “They can even cause problems at landfills by wrapping around compactor tires.”

Contact the solid waste department at 715.345.5970 with questions.