When the holidays are over, what do you do with the leftover packaging?
Advanced Disposal shared these tips on what to do with some typical holiday leftovers:
CANS:
Cans of cola and other aluminum or tin beverage and food containers are accepted at Advanced Disposal. Be sure to rinse out the items and place in your bin or cart. Leftover food residue could contaminate an entire load of items making everything unrecyclable, so be sure to keep it clean.
CARDS:
While most greeting cards can be recycled, consider repurposing the ones that cannot. Upcycle cards by making paper crafts with them such as cutting out the designs to use them as gift tags or ornaments for next year’s holiday season.
WRAPPING:
Most paper wrappings can be reutilized, but not recycled. Placing items like gift wrap and tissue paper in the recycling bin is a common mistake people make around the holidays. Unfortunately, shiny or laminated paper is not recyclable. Placing it in the bin could contaminate the entire load. Instead, you can use wrapping paper to line drawers or bookcases, or even shred it for New Year’s Eve confetti.
BULBS:
Burnt-out bulbs, specifically incandescent bulbs unfortunately are not accepted at most recycling centers. Since these bulbs don’t contain any toxic materials, odds are that you may have to simply throw these burnt-out bulbs into the trash. Some people suggest putting the bulbs into their original packaging or a small plastic bag before throwing them away, so the glass won’t shatter and hurt someone. Some hardware stores will recycle bulbs.
BOWS:
Gift wrap bows are not a recyclable material, but can be saved and easily reused for future presents. Gift boxes can be broken down and placed in bins or carts if small enough or cut down to am appropriate size. However, we also encourage saving and reusing your gift boxes.
MISTLETOE:
Kiss mistletoe goodbye and place it in your garbage can or yard waste container.
WREATHS:
Large live wreaths that are free from embellishments and the wire rings are accepted as yard waste in areas where yard waste is collected. But first, make sure that yard season is in full swing before placing curbside. If not, this can be thrown away with other house hold waste.
TREE:
Bare Christmas trees in Marshfield are collected curbside. Be sure to remove all ornaments and decorative items to make your tree completely bare. Artificial trees cannot be recycled, and AD recycling facilities do not accept them. But, we do encourage that you donate them, if you are looking to dispose of them after the holidays.
Adapted and used with permission from Advanced Disposal.
