Opportunities lacking for people with disabilities Clear out non-working holiday lights and electrical, phone and appliance cords while creating jobs for people with disabilities. The nonprofit ProAct is kicking off its Holiday Lights Recycling effort in conjunction with several east and south Twin Cities metro cities.

“Keep your lights and cords out of the trash and recycle bins, and know that they will be handled properly and that the valuable material will be reclaimed and reused in new products,” said ProAct Production Coordinator Jennifer Cavalier. The effort also helps to employ dozens of people with disabilities in Dakota County.

The program is underway until January 31. Christmas lights and electrical cords cannot be recycled in standard, single-sort recycling bins, and can cause problems in the regular waste stream. ProAct has expanded its recycling effort each of the last four years. All the work and income from the processed material will benefit individuals with disabilities in its programs.

People with disabilities process the cords and bulbs at ProAct’s Eagan facility. ProAct is headquartered in Eagan and has additional operations in Red Wing, Zumbrota and in Hudson, Wis. Its mission is to provide person-centered services that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities in the areas of employment, life skills, and community inclusion.

ProAct cannot accept cord adapters, battery packs, plastic rope lights, light fixtures or CFL lights. Lights in a tree, garland or wreath need to be removed for recycling. The drop-off locations serviced by ProAct are offered in Dakota, Goodhue, Scott and Washington counties in Minnesota, and in Hudson, Wisc. at the ProAct facilities at 1202 Beaudry Blvd. Note that some sites have changed from 2016.

In Apple Valley, visit the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave. In Eagan, visit ProAct, 3195 Neil Armstrong Blvd. Drop items off west of the main entrance, near the garage. The Lebanon Hills Visitors Center, 860 Cliff Road, is also a drop point.

In Farmington, go to City Hall, 430 3rd St. The municipal liquor stores at 109 Elm St. and 18350 Pilot Knob Road also accept items, as does Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St.

In Hastings, items can be dropped at Dakota County Administrative Services Center, 1690 Highway 55; Hastings City Hall, 101 4th St. E.; Hometown ACE Hardware, 1355 S. Frontage Road; Sterling Drug, 1399 S. Frontage Road and Terry’s Hardware, 375 33rd St. W.

In Inver Grove Heights, items can be dropped at ACE Hardware & Paint, 3098 65th St. E.; City of Inver Grove Heights, 8150 Barbara Ave. and Inver Grove Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave. E.

In Lakeville, items can be dropped off at Lakeville City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Ave.; Lakeville Liquor Heritage, 20164 Heritage Ave.; Lakeville Liquor Kenrick, 16179 Kenrick Ave, and Lakeville Liquor Store, 1600 Galaxie Ave.

The drop point in Mendota Heights is City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. In Rosemount, items can be taken to City of Rosemount-Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail or Terry’s Hardware, 14635 S. Robert Trail. The South St. Paul drop-off is City Hall, 125 3rd Av. Ave. The West St. Paul sites are the Dakota County Western Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W. and West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Ave.

One drop point is offered in Goodhue County. In Cannon Falls, take items to D & G ACE Hardware, 31265 County 24.

The City of Savage has the lone Scott County drop-off, at City of Savage, 6000 McColl Drive. In Washington County, take items to Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Ave. N.

Washington County’s drop-off is at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Ave. N.