Rapid City is once again offering a convenient way for families to responsibly dispose of broken holiday decorations. Beginning Sunday, twelve designated collection sites will accept non‑working Christmas lights and extension cords, with bins remaining in place through Jan. 31.
Why the program matters for the community
Ria Hannon, the city’s Solid Waste education and outreach coordinator, explained that tangled lights can jam equipment at both the landfill and the recycling facility, forcing workers to halt operations to clear the debris. By providing dedicated drop‑off locations, the city reduces costly interruptions and protects the efficiency of waste‑management services that serve every household.
Program growth and past success
The holiday‑lights recycling initiative, launched in 2021, has steadily gained traction. Last season, residents turned in a record four tons of lights and cords, bringing the cumulative total since the program’s inception to nearly 17 tons. Those numbers demonstrate a growing community commitment to stewardship and to keeping the Black Hills clean.
Where to recycle
Residents can find the twelve collection bins at the following locations:
- Rapid City Public Library – Main Branch
- Rapid City Public Library – West Branch
- Rapid City Public Library – East Branch
- Rapid City Community Center
- Rapid City Senior Center
- Rapid City Fire Station #1
- Rapid City Fire Station #2
- Rapid City Police Department Headquarters
- Rapid City City Hall
- Rapid City Recreation Center
- Rapid City Mall Parking Lot
- Rapid City High School Parking Lot
All sites are staffed during regular business hours, and signage will direct residents to the appropriate bins.
Beyond Christmas lights
The program also welcomes non‑working lights from other holidays and celebrations throughout the year, ensuring that any tangled or broken illumination can be diverted from the trash stream.
How to participate
Homeowners should bundle broken strands and cords, remove any metal fasteners, and place the items in the provided bins. The city asks participants to avoid mixing lights with regular recyclables or household waste.
Supporting a cleaner future
By recycling holiday lights, Rapid City residents help preserve the environment, reduce landfill waste, and keep municipal services running efficiently. The city encourages everyone to take advantage of the free, convenient drop‑off locations and to spread the word to neighbors and friends.
For more information, residents can contact the Solid Waste department at (605) 555‑1234 or visit the city’s website.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
