Got a strand of Christmas lights that’s just not going to make it another season? Don’t toss it in the trash.
Those burnt-out bulbs can still be a bright spot for Sunshine Industries.
The nonprofit, which operates a sheltered workshop where people who have disabilities can find work that meets their needs, has a program to recycle strands of Christmas lights. People working in supported employment at Sunshine Industries dismantle the lights and break them down by glass, plastic and copper wiring to be recycled, said Kelsie Crittendon, Human Resources and Marketing Director for the ARC of Knox County, which oversees Sunshine Industries.
“Recycling electronic waste is the main focus of our SunE-Cycle program,” which Sunshine began two years ago, Crittendon said.
Through Jan. 31, Sunshine Industries will have blue collection bins at Three Rivers Market, 1100 N. Central St., and a number of Pilot Flying J convenience stores: 9550 Northshore Drive, 7686 Northshore Drive, 136 N. Northshore Drive, 2218 Cumberland Ave., 206 Walker Springs Road, 13065 Kingston Pike, 6900 Maynardville Pike, 2918 Tazewell Pike, 405 Lovell Road, 5800 Oak Ridge Highway, 410 Merchants Road, 701 Campbell Station Road and 421 N. Cedar Bluff Road.
Lights can be dropped off at the Arc Knox County/Sunshine Industries, 3000 N. Central St., also.
In fact, Sunshine collects all manner of electronics for recycling at its sheltered workshop, including televisions, computers, cell phones, tablets, gaming systems and printers, said Judy Wohlwend, executive director.
Wohlwend said if non-data-storing electronics – such as televisions or printers – can be repaired, they’re then sold on eBay or Craigslist to support the nonprofit. Electronics that retain data or cannot be repaired are broken down into recyclable components. Jobs dismantling electronics in the E-Cycle program are very popular with Sunshine’s supported employees, she said.
“Corporate customers bring us computers, and these guys tear them apart,” Wohlwend said. “If you’re going to get rid of your computer and you don’t want your hard drive exposed, we’re the place you want to bring it, because we’ll destroy it.”
The city and county offer some other options for keeping discarded Christmas lights out of the landfills. They can be taken to Goodwill attendants at any City of Knoxville recycling drop-off center or Knox County convenience centers at Halls, Dutchtown, John Sevier or Karns – but they must be given to an attendant. The city’s Hazardous Household Waste facility, 1033 Elm St., also accepts lights and other discarded electronics.
To read the full story, visit http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2017/12/25/discarded-christmas-lights-electronics-shine-sheltered-workshops-recycling-program/963773001/.