Celebrate a greener Christmas: Quick recycling tips

The holiday season sparkles with joy, yet it often leaves behind piles of extra waste. From gift wrap to gadgets, each item needs thoughtful disposal. Try these easy tips to keep your celebrations merry and green.

Gift Wrap & Packaging: 

Give plain wrapping paper a second life by recycling it, but skip the foil, glitter, or laminated kinds. For a festive and eco-friendly twist, try reusable gift bags or fabric wraps. Clean gift boxes and paperboard packaging are welcome in recycling bins. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts can be reused for future gifts, or tossed if you cannot find another use.

Decorations & Trees: 

Christmas lights are not recyclable and can tangle up recycling machines. If your lights still shine, brighten someone else's holiday by donating them. If not, it is time to let them go. While Christmas trees cannot go in the recycling bin, Solid Waste can recycle your decoration-free tree.  Ornaments and tinsel are best saved for next year or placed in the trash.

Batteries in Gifts: 

Alkaline batteries like AA and AAA can go in the trash, but choosing rechargeable ones helps the planet. Button cell batteries from watches and musical cards are hazardous and belong at a Home Chemical Collection Center.

Electronics & Gadgets: 

Keep hazardous electronics like TVs, tablets, and printers out of the trash and recycling bin. Bring them to a Home Chemical Collection Center for safe handling. Non-hazardous gadgets like coffee makers and fans can go in the trash if it is safe, but when in doubt, always pick the safest disposal route.

Ink Cartridges & USB Cords: 

Used ink and toner cartridges contain hazardous chemicals, so drop them off at participating stores or mail them back to the manufacturer for safe recycling. USB cords are not accepted in curbside recycling, so if they are no longer useful, consider donating or tossing them.

With these simple steps, you can cut down on holiday waste and give a gift to the environment. Every small action adds  Have a joyful season and happy recycling.