Updated January 2nd, 2024
Recycle Holiday Lights at Five Rivers MetroParks
Drop off lights at one of six locations and support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation.
Starting Dec. 1, Five Rivers MetroParks and Cohen Recycling are making the holidays greener by providing bins at seven MetroParks locations where residents can drop off holiday lights to be recycled. Recycling these lights supports MetroParks’ conservation mission, and Cohen will make a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation based on how many lights are recycled.
Drop off unwanted lights at any of the following MetroParks locations between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1. Light strands should be loose and not in bags or boxes.
- The following locations are accessible during park hours, daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Carriage Hill MetroPark, 7800 E. Shull Rd., Dayton: Recycling bin is located outside the Visitor Center entrance.
- Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook: Recycling bin is located at the main parking lot entrance under the kiosk.
- Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton: Recycling bin is located at the front of the main building.
- Possum Creek MetroPark, 4790 Frytown Rd., Dayton: Recycling bin located at the education building at the Possum Creek Farm.
- Cox Arboretum MetroPark, 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton. Recycling bin located outside the Visitor Center entrance.
- 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St., Dayton: Recycling bin is located at the northwest entrance and is accessible anytime.
Extra waste generated during the holidays — including decorations, food and paper waste —amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, according to the Use Less Stuff Report and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
This is the fifth holiday season the recycling program has been offered. Last year, MetroParks collected 5,900 pounds of lights. Over the past three years, Cohen has donated a total of $6,674.82 to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation to support MetroParks’ mission to protect the Dayton region’s natural heritage.
“It’s exciting to be able to offer this resource to the community,” said Bernadette Whitworth, Five Rivers MetroParks historical and cultural resources manager. “Recycling lights that no longer work and were going to be thrown away is such an easy way to be more sustainable this holiday season. And it’s a chance to spend some time outdoors.”
