Where to Recycle Christmas Lights in Minnesota
Have a strand of Christmas lights that no longer works? Take it to a location that accepts string lights for recycling. Keep it out of your curbside recycling cart: the cords can tangle in sorting equipment. Minnesota has both year-round and seasonal drop-off options, so check a location’s current instructions before you go.
Year-Round Christmas Light Recycling
- Hennepin County: The Bloomington and Brooklyn Park drop-off facilities accept string and holiday lights at no charge.
- Dakota County: The Recycling Zone in Eagan is listed as a year-round option for holiday lights.
- Elsewhere in Minnesota: The Recycling Association of Minnesota’s location list includes year-round sites in communities across the state. The participating locations run their own programs, so confirm hours and accepted items with the site you choose.
Seasonal Drop-Off Locations
Additional locations collect lights during the holiday season. Check the statewide location list and your city or county recycling page for dates before making a trip.
Updated December 2025
Dakota County locations: Apple Valley, Eagan. Farmington, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Hastings
Hennepin County: Bloomington, Brooklyn Park
St. Paul: this guide also has information on recycling wreaths, trees, and wrapping paper
The Recycling Association of Minnesota has a guide of places collecting lights. Addresses are listed on their website. Communities include:
- Alexandria
- Andover
- Apple Valley (seasonal)
- Arden Hills (seasonal)
- Bloomington
- Brooklyn Park
- Brainerd
- Cannon Falls (seasonal)
- Chaska
- Coon Rapids
- Detroit Lakes
- Duluth
- Dundas
- Eagan
- Farmington (seasonal)
- Fergus Falls
- Fridley (seasonal)
- Glenwood (seasonal)
- Hastings (seasonal)
- Hopkins
- Jordan
- Lakeville (seasonal)
- Mankato (seasonal)
- Marshall
- Mendota Heights (seasonal)
- North Branch
- Osakis (seasonal)
- Owatonna
- Plymouth (seasonal)
- Rochester (seasonal)
- Rosemount (seasonal)
- Sleepy Eye (seasonal)
- South St. Paul (seasonal)
- St. Cloud
- St. Paul
- Waseca
- West St. Paul (seasonal)
- Woodbury