Monroe County Offers Seasonal Recycling for Holiday Lights

Monroe County announced a limited time holiday lighting recycling program on December 16, 2025, giving residents a free option to dispose of old or broken string lights, rope lights and similar holiday lighting that are not appropriate for curbside recycling carts. Collection bins are placed at local Home Depot locations in Marathon and Key West and at other partner sites through the program end date of January 15.

The county framed the effort as a convenient way to reduce the number of electrical wiring and mixed material items entering the solid waste stream. These items can contaminate curbside recycling and complicate processing at recycling facilities, so the program is intended to direct those materials to appropriate handling rather than to household bins or landfill disposal.

Operationally, the initiative reflects a collaboration between county waste management and private retail partners. By locating collection points at major retailers and additional partner sites, the county has sought to increase accessibility for residents across Monroe County during the holiday season. The short term window concentrates participation around the peak period for holiday lighting replacement, and the county has provided guidance on which types of lights are accepted and where to drop them off.

For residents, the program reduces both the environmental risk of improper disposal and the burden of finding specialty recycling options outside normal curbside service. It also reduces contamination in the regular recycling stream, which can lower processing costs and improve the effectiveness of curbside programs that serve the county. Local governments that coordinate seasonal collection events can also use participation data to plan future waste reduction efforts and to assess the need for expanded permanent programs.

Monroe County’s seasonal collection runs through January 15. Residents seeking specific partner site locations and any site hours should consult county channels for the latest information before transporting materials. The program offers a clear, temporary option to keep holiday lighting out of the landfill and to support more efficient recycling for the community.