While many homes have piles of neatly wrapped gifts this week, setting a picturesque holiday scene, those same homes next week will have piles of shredded wrapping paper and ribbon, with moms and dads trying to cram it all in trash bags – while not throwing away instructions and small parts.
According to Waste Management, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of the year. They offer these tips for recycling right and making a positive impact on the environment:
- Clean, dry, and empty cardboard; paper; plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs; cans; and glass containers can be recycled.
- Plastic shopping/grocery bags don’t belong in curbside recycling containers. They can be returned to local retailers.
- Empty cardboard boxes should be broken down before being placed in your recycling container, and non-recyclable packing materials should be removed.
- Plain wrapping paper is recyclable, but paper with foil, glitter, or a plastic/laminated coating is not. Save it for reuse or trash it.
- Holiday bags should be treated like wrapping paper: plain bags are recyclable, but bags with foil, glitter, or a plastic/laminated coating are not. Reuse or trash them.
- Ribbons, bows, and tissue paper are not recyclable.
- Do not recycle holiday lights.
- Keep batteries and propane tanks out of curbside recycling and waste bins, as they can cause fires in collection vehicles and at waste and recycling facilities.
