Recycle your old holiday lights

There's a lot of talk about upgrading to LED holiday lights. So what should you do with your old incandescent lights? It's not likely that curbside recycling will take them, but that doesn't mean they're destined for the landfill. Check to see if there's going to be an event in your local community over the holidays.

Otherwise, take advantage of HolidayLEDs' free recycling program. You do have to be willing to pay postage, though, since it's a mail-in program. Still, it's a great option for those who would rather not throw their old holiday lights in the trash. An added benefit: The company will send you a coupon for a 15 percent discount on its website (a particularly appealing prospect for those who haven't made the upgrade yet).   

Earth911 has helpful suggestions for those who would rather donate or reuse decorative lights.  

If you're in the market to buy LED holiday lights, look for strings that have the Energy Star stamp of approval and those that have been certified by Underwriter Laboratories. LED holiday lights are about 90 percent more efficient than traditional lights so you'll save money on your electric bill.

Every little bit helps, especially at this time of year. The Sierra Club reports that energy usage goes up 27 percent during the holidays. LED bulbs last a long time, are difficult to break, and are less likely to cause fires because they don't get as hot as conventional bulbs.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.