Christmas Holiday Recycling Tips

Christmas Holiday Recycling Tips

After the holidays, before you reach for the garbage can, consider these alternatives to recycle instead!

Summary of Christmas Decor Recycling:

You can and should Recycle:

• Christmas Trees
  Real, live trees are recycled locally. See this page for your local options. Artificial trees should be put away for reuse next year. If you haven't bought a tree yet, consider a real tree instead, which many communities recycle nowadays (check to see if yours does). Generally, the recycled trees are chipped and converted to mulch. If you get a potted tree instead of a cut one, you can replant it afterwards in your yard or donate it to a park or church for replanting. (Note that replanting is only possible if the ground hasn't frozen yet.)
• Cardboard in your recycling bin curbside
• Paper boxes (gift, shoe and shipping)  in your recycling bin curbside
• Wrapping paper (plain)  in your recycling bin curbside

• Holiday cards and envelopes (without embellishments)  in your recycling bin curbside

• Christmas Lights Recycling:
  See this page for detailed information.  Below is a brief summary:
  At the end of the holiday, put Christmas lights away carefully so they'll be in good shape for the following year. If the original packaging is no help, rip the side off a large cardboard box and wrap the string around it, cutting notches in the cardboard if necessary to hold the string in place. No need for your lights next year? Donate them to a local charity or offer them to someone who wants them on freecycle. If some of the bulbs are broken or there are other problems with the lights, recycle them at Holiday LEDs. The lights will be recycled responsibly and you'll get a coupon worth 25% off a new purchase.:
  • The Christmas Light Source light recycling program is active all year. All proceeds from the program are used to purchase educational books and toys that are donated to Toys for Tots in early December. If you include your name and email address with your lights, they will email you a code that will be good for 10% off a single order of Christmas lights.
  • The Holiday LEDs light recycling program is open year round. If you send them your old Christmas lights for recycling, they will email you a coupon good for 15% off their LED Christmas lights. Be sure to complete the Christmas light recycling form on the website.
  • Home Depot usually has a Christmas Light Trade-In Event in early November.
  •  Donate them to a local charity or offer them to someone who wants them on freecycle.

Batteries

You might also like these convenient all-in-one battery recycling collection containers. There good for home or business. They're obvious and clear, no explanation required. It has everything you need, Everything you need to easily and safely recycle batteries: an attractive box, instructions, a roll of tape, required labels, and a D.O.T. Special Permit.

These cannot usually be recycled: only Reuse or Dispose:

• Bubble wrap
• Ribbons and bows
• Gift bags (laminated, coated or dyed)
• Embellished wrapping paper (foil or glitter)
• Cellophane
• Foam packing peanuts
• Artificial Christmas trees

Other options to do with these and other holiday waste items

Extra Food - who doesn't have extra food after the holidays that will just end up on your hips? Call a local food bank to see whether you can donate the excess to help feed people in need. Reach out to a local food bank to see whether you can donate the excess to help feed people in need. If you know from past experience that you're likely to have this problem, call in advance so you know where to take it while it's still fresh. Better yet, try portion planning when you cook and avoid the problem altogether.

Old Electronic devices - an old computer, table, phone or game device can be donated to a local school, assisted care center or charity. Many Wal-Mart store have a recyling vending machione for phones that will pay you for your old phone. Laptops of any make can be dropped off at a Dell Reconnect location. Dell Reconnect uses proceeds from the resale of systems, parts and recovered materials to help fund Goodwill's mission of putting people to work.

If you have a Mac or iPad, bring it back to Apple for recycling. PCs are accepted, too. Apple promises that if the machine has monetary value, you will receive an Apple Gift Card for the amount. The same applies to iPhones and iPods. Bring it back to Apple for recycling . PCs are accepted, too. Apple promises that if the machine has monetary value, you will receive an Apple Gift Card for the amount. The same applies to iPhones and iPods.


Mobile device? .Did you get a new mobile device? Bring or mail the old one to Recellular or one of many other cellphone donation and recycling programs .

Just remember, when donating or recycling any equipment with personal information on it, you need to wipe out the memory first. This is very important to protect yourself from financial and identity theft-and simply to keep private stuff private. Here are instructions for completely erasing data from PCs, Macs and all manner of cellphones.

Old clothes and  Fashions
If you receive new duds for the holidays, consider donating any old items that you won't be wearing anymore to The Salvation Army, Goodwill or one of the other organizations that take used clothing and shoes. Winter is an especially good time to donate a warm coat. You can also resell your old clothing at a local thrift or vintage shop or participate in a clothing swap.

Toys
Unfortunately, while crayons can be recycled, most toys cannot be-in part because they're so often made with toxic materials (a sad commentary on what kids are exposed to every day for lack of adequate health and safety regulations). However, you can avoid the future need for recycling toys by renting instead of buying them. Just google toy rental and you'll find a number of companies offering the service.

Wrapping Paper and Holiday Cards
If you unwrap gifts carefully, the paper can be trimmed, saved and reused next year. Otherwise, it can be recycled with other mixed paper. If the wrapping is still ahead of you, consider buying reusable bags to wrap your presents in. They'll double as additional gifts and will help the people who receive them shop more sustainably year-round. You can get a grab bag of 6 reusable bags from ChicoBag for $24.99.

Holiday cards can also be recycled with mixed paper products (just pull off any non-paper gewgaws that might be attached). Alternatively, you can cut them up into small gift tags for use next year. When buying new cards, choose the smallest ones that can accommodate your message.

December than any other month. Planning ahead of time can reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfills, and reuse can even generate useful items. You can "Be the Solution" and have a more waste-free holiday season by following a few simple tips from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. When you prepare for the coming holidays, think green: reduce, reuse and recycle. Wrapping gifts can be a challenge since wrapping paper is frequently not recyclable. Be creative! Wrap a gift in a gift -- such as a scarf, bandana, dishtowel or cloth shopping bag. The comic pages from the Sunday paper and most colorful flyers reuse paper and are still recyclable. Last year's Christmas and holiday cards can be used in crafts and as ornaments. Out with the old so you have room for the new! Before the holidays is a perfect time to clean out your clutter and unused items. If you have outgrown toys and clothing, consider donating them to charitable organizations. Discarded electronics (computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, and monitors) may be donated to a local nonprofit agency or the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC). CACRC provides computers to schools, families and nonprofits. Visit the council's website at www.cacrc.com for details. When decorating your home, there are ways to consider the environment. An artificial tree doesn't have to be discarded and a live tree can be replanted. If you purchase a cut tree, remember that it cannot be flocked or have tinsel or decorations on it, if it is to be recycled. Cut trees are usually collected in early January and are ground up into compost or mulch. You can find information about seasonal pickups and recycling at the East Baton Rouge Parish Recycling website: http://brgov.com/recycle. Many parishes will have programs to recycle. LED lights last longer, save energy and money. Go to http://www.holidayleds.com/christmas-light-recycling-program.aspx for recycling instructions. You can recycle packaging materials such as cardboard and plastic foam peanuts. For information on recycling plastic foam peanuts, or if you are a retailer interested in foam peanut recycling, go to www.loosefillpackaging.com hotline. Buy rechargeable batteries for toys, cameras and gadgets. When those batteries no longer hold a charge, call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 800-8-BATTERY, or go to their website at www.rbrc.org for information on the nearest battery-recycling drop off location. Have a safe holiday season and remember to never burn wrapping paper or Christmas trees in the fireplace. For more recycling ideas, go to: www.deq.louisiana.gov/recycling -3

Last Year's Electronics
Don't underestimate the value of your old computer when you get a shiny new replacement for the holidays. That "clunker" was worth something the day before-and still is. Maybe you employ someone, such as a home health aide for an elderly parent, who would benefit from it. A local school or charity might want it. Heck, you might even be able to sell it on eBay or craigslist.

If there are no takers, recycle it. Laptops of any make can be dropped off at a Dell Reconnect location , as can most computer accessories . A partnership between Dell and Goodwill, Dell Reconnect uses proceeds from the resale of systems, parts and recovered materials to help fund Goodwill's mission of putting people to work.

Just remember, when donating or recycling any equipment with personal information on it, you need to wipe out the memory first. This is very important to protect yourself from financial and identity theft-and simply to keep private stuff private. Here are instructions for completely erasing data from PCs , Macs and all manner of cellphones .

Last Year's Fashions
If you receive new duds for the holidays, consider donating any old items that you won't be wearing anymore to The Salvation Army , Goodwill or one of the other organizations that take used clothing and shoes. Winter is an especially good time todonate a warm coat . You can also resell your old clothing at a local thrift or vintage shop or participate in a clothing swap.

Toys that Have Lost Their Luster
Unfortunately, while crayons can be recycled , most toys cannot be-in part because they're so often made with toxic materials (a sad commentary on what kids are exposed to every day for lack of adequate health and safety regulations). However, you can avoid the future need for recycling toys by renting instead of buying them. Just google toy rental and you'll find a number of companies offering the service.

Christmas Trees
Artificial trees should be put away for reuse next year.

 If you get a potted tree instead of a cut one, you can replant it afterwards in your yard or donate it to a park or church for replanting. (Note that replanting is only possible if the ground hasn't frozen yet.)

Wrapping Paper and Holiday Cards
If you unwrap gifts carefully, the paper can be trimmed, saved and reused next year. Otherwise, it can be recycled with other mixed paper. If the wrapping is still ahead of you, consider buying reusable bags to wrap your presents in. They'll double as additional gifts and will help the people who receive them shop more sustainably year-round. You can get a grab bag of 6 reusable bags from ChicoBag for $24.99.

Holiday cards can also be recycled with mixed paper products (just pull off any non-paper gewgaws that might be attached). Alternatively, you can cut them up into small gift tags for use next year. When buying new cards, choose the smallest ones that can accommodate your message.

Other ways to Reuse That Old String Of Holiday Lights!

Is there a new type of holiday light out there that you're just dying to buy, but you're conflicted because you still have perfectly good old lights? There are ways to give a second life to older lights in good working condition. Keep these tips in mind as you decorate for the holidays.

• Donate them! Check with your local organizations that will help redistribute them to the community.
• Sell them online.
• Reuse them to decorate a patio or room.
• Reuse them for festivities throughout the year.
• Take them camping.

Recycle Old Lights And Electronics!

Are your old lights broken, or maybe just shot from time and usage? Do you plan on replacing a computer, cell phone or television? Rather than throwing away broken and unwanted lights and electronics, here are some resources that can help you recycle them.

• Solid Waste Management Districts (SWMDs):
  • SWMDs can provide a great deal of useful information about recycling, yard waste, and household hazardous waste (HHW) services in your local community.
• Indianapolis / Marion County Services:
  • In Marion County, the City of Indianapolis ToxDrop and the Indiana Recycling Coalition offer information about disposal and recycling services. Other resources for holiday light recycling in the Indianapolis area includeRecycleForce and Ray's Trash Service.
• Electronics Recycling and Donation:
  • IDEM maintains information on how to donate and recycle electronic waste on the Recycle Indiana website.

Learn About The Life Of A Christmas Tree

Every year, Indiana Christmas tree growers harvest over 500,000 trees. Christmas tree farms are an efficient, environmentally friendly way to grow trees and to provide families with healthy, well-shaped Christmas trees without damaging Indiana forests. Learn how farms prepare Christmas trees for your home by watching IDEM's Life of a Christmas Tree video.

For people who are debating whether to purchase a cut tree, a living tree, or an artificial tree for the holidays, Earth911 explores the pros and cons of each option.

Make The Holidays More Environmentally Friendly

• Make decorating environmentally friendly.
  • Purchase energy efficient lights when it's time to replace old strings of incandescent lights. Energy Star LEDs are efficient, durable and easy to maintain. Many have convenient features, such as dimmers and automatic shut-offs. The Energy Star label assures you have a quality product. CFLs are also an energy efficient option at a slightly lower cost.
• Make gift giving more environmentally friendly.
  • Take along reusable bags when you go shopping for gifts.
  • Use recycled paper to wrap gifts or get creative with newspaper or the colorful pages from a magazine.
  • Reuse bows and wrapping paper you've saved from previous years; save this year's bows and trimmings for reuse next year.
  • When selecting gifts for others, choose durable, quality items that will last.
  • Check the label and buy recycled.
  • Purchase and use rechargeable batteries for electronics. Consider giving a battery charger and rechargeable batteries as a gift.
• Make holiday gatherings more environmentally friendly.
  • Provide containers for your guests to recycle aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers.
  • Avoid using disposable dishes and utensils to reduce excess waste.
  • Run only full loads of dishes to conserve water and electricity.
  • Buy locally to create that fabulous meal. Check for a winter farmers' market near you.
• Save the environment and save money by conserving electricity.
  • Turn holiday lights off when you're not home.
  • Turn your thermostat down and consider using a programmable thermostat.
  • Purchase foam gasketsfor electrical outlets and light switches from the hardware store to help seal your home.
  • Unplug appliances and gadgets when not in use.