My Clearwater
Holiday Trash & Recycling Tips
During the winter holiday season, people in the
United States throw away 25 percent more trash
than usual. That’s about 1 million tons more than
normal per week!
Be sure that you’re disposing of your trash properly. Frequent
items seen in recycling bins that don’t belong include holiday
lights, paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, wrapping paper
with plastic elements, non-paper packing materials and food
waste.
These items can tangle and clog the sorting machines, not
allowing items that can be recycled to pass through for
proper sorting.
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Did you know that holiday lights can be turned in to some
scrap metal collectors? Check with your local scrap metal
recyclers to see if they will accept holiday lights. You may be
surprised to learn how many different items they will accept.
Items that can be accepted for recycling curbside from
holiday celebrations include empty plastic bottles and
jugs, paper cards (non-photo paper), metal cans, flattened
cardboard boxes and glass bottles, and jars.
Don’t ruin the holidays by disposing of your wastes
improperly. Getting rid of your holiday waste properly helps
keep our communities clean and healthy.
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