RAPID CITY, S.D. — As holiday decorating gets underway, Rapid City’s Solid Waste Division is reminding residents to recycle broken Christmas lights and extension cords instead of throwing them in the trash.
The city says discarded light strings—often called “tanglers”—can jam landfill equipment and cause expensive delays.
Rapid City’s annual Christmas Lights Recycling Program is now underway, with drop-off bins at a dozen locations across the city, including Ace Hardware stores, Boyd’s Drug, City Hall, the public library, and the landfill office.
Last year, the program collected more than three tons of broken lights. Since 2020, over 14 tons have been recycled.
Collection bins will stay in place through January 31. Residents can find a full list of locations by contacting the Solid Waste Division.
