AIMECycling of Toledo has partnered with Genoa Bank for its third year to offer a simple way to keep old Christmas lights out of the landfills for an ecofriendly option to discard them.
Old broken Christmas lights can be dropped off through January 13, at most Genoa Bank branch locations during lobby business hours.
“Christmas lights are just one of those things that people often overlook as being recyclable but it’s really important to utilize this option,” said Brian Simmons of AIMEcycling. “Christmas lights are made from several nonbiodegradable components, mostly plastic, glass and copper. They take decades, if not hundreds of years, to break down if sent to a landfill.”
Christmas light bulbs also may contain toxic metals such as mercury that can be released into the environment when the bulbs are broken. With Christmas lights often only lasting a few seasons, the waste generated by any given household adds up quickly. Over the last two years, 5,643 pounds of lights have been collected and recycled with this initiative.
In addition to helping the environment by recycling lights, AIM has committed to making a donation to Nature’s Nursery Center For Wildlife Rescue of up to 20 cents per pound collected to assist in their efforts toward environmental and habitat sustainability.
Lights can be dropped off at the following Genoa Bank branch locations: •Sylvania Branch, 5501 Monroe Street, Sylvania
•Maumee Branch, 703 Conant Street, Maumee
•Oregon Branch, 3201 Navarre Avenue, Oregon
•Millbury Branch, 24950 West State Route 51, Millbury
•Genoa Branch, 801 Main Street, Genoa
•Perrysburg/Rossford Branch, 9920 Old U.S. 20, Rossford Lights can be placed in the large dropoff boxes located in each branch lobby. Donations are not being accepted at the downtown Toledo branch.
