Great Parks and Cohen Recycling's annual holiday light recycling program has broken a record for the second year in a row, collecting 15,700 pounds of lights, the cash value of which Cohen will donate to Great Parks. In 2019, residents donated 11,081 pounds of lights, a first for the partnership.
Collection figures have increased since 2017. The program began in 2014.
"People in our region anticipate this program returning every year," Great Parks CEO Todd Palmeter said in a statement. "They are mindful about salvaging unwanted lights, knowing the can dispose of them sustainable through Great Parks."
Drop-off locations were available from Nov. 1, 2020 to Feb. 1, 2021 and for the first time, the program expanded outside of Hamilton County to include nearly 40 locations across the Tri-State.
While Hamilton County is the only one receiving a matching grant on the dollar value of donations this year – in this case, $2,355 – Cohen spokesperson Nick Oldfield previously told WVXU expanding the matching grant portion of the program was in "pilot mode."
"Year 1 is kind of a test to see the reaction," he said.
Still, other participating counties won't walk away empty-handed – they receive the cash value of their respective collections.
