Have a
holly, jolly and green holiday this year!
Extra mail packaging, gift-giving and
food consumption are some of the ways that waste piles up during the holiday
season. We have compiled a list of items commonly disposed of during the
holidays to help you decide if an item is recyclable or not.
Do Recycle: Cardboard
The rising
popularity of online shopping has led to a large increase in cardboard
recycling. When that special package you’ve been waiting for comes in the mail,
be sure to recycle it! Please break down cardboard boxes to help with
collection and make room in your bin.
Do NOT Recycle: Wrapping Paper, Bows and Tissue Paper
Many types
of wrapping paper include metallic or glitter items that contaminate the
stream. Many are also filled with flame retardant chemicals. Wrapping paper
should be left out of the recycling stream.
Consider
wrapping your gifts in newspaper instead to reuse an old item! Newspaper can be
recycled and looks great wrapped around your presents.
Do Recycle: Cookie Tins
Metal cookie
tins should be recycled; however, they can always be reused again to store
fresh baked cookies and more!
Do NOT Recycle: Styrofoam
Styrofoam is
not good for the environment because it falls apart easily. Styrofoam is not
recyclable and should be placed in the trash.
You can get
creative with styrofoam, like some of the participants of our Recycled Art Contest, and make art!
Do Recycle: Glass Bottles and Jars
Cheers! Glass bottles and
jars can be recycled. Please empty, rinse and dry items before placing in your
recycling bin.
Please keep drinking glasses and broken glass
out of your recycling. Wrap broken glassware in newspaper and place in the
trash.
Do NOT
Recycle: Plastic Toy Packaging
The only
plastic items that should be recycled are those that have the number 1 or 2 inside
the recycling symbol that are shaped like bottles or jugs.
For more
information on how to determine if a plastic item is recyclable, check out our blog post.
Do Recycle: Paper Bags
When it comes
to shopping bags, paper beats plastic. Paper bags can be placed in the
recycling bin.
Do NOT Recycle: Plastic Film and Plastic Bags
Plastic film
including plastic bags, bubble wrap and food packaging can wreak havoc on
recycling sorting facilities. Plastic film gets caught in the machinery and can
cause the system to shut down. Do not place them in your curbside bin.
Most local
grocery stores have drop-off containers designated for recycling plastic film.
Do Recycle:
Paper Envelopes
Paper
envelopes, even the ones with little windows, can be recycled.
Do NOT Recycle: Christmas Lights
Do not recycle holiday decorations and especially not Christmas lights. Consider donating your lights if they are still working. Christmas lights that are no longer working should be placed in the trash.
It’s
Complicated: Holiday Cards
Paper
holiday cards are recyclable but should be placed in the trash if they have
special decorations. Examples of decorations include metal foil, glitter or
musical components.
How to Dispose of Christmas Trees
ACUA
considers Christmas trees as yard waste and will collect them in towns where we
pick up yard waste. If ACUA does not pick up yard waste in your area, contact
your town’s Public Works Department for more information.
Another option is for residents to bring Christmas trees to local farms for disposal.
Click here for more information about yard waste disposal with ACUA and for a list of local farms accepting trees.
Artificial
trees are considered bulky waste and cannot be recycled. Consider giving them
to someone else for reuse or dispose of them as trash.