What Holiday Items Can’t be Recycled?

Often well-intentioned residents try to recycle items because they know the environmental and economic benefits of recycling.  However, there are a few popular holiday items that do not belong in your blue bin and a little reminder is never a bad thing.  

Christmas lights can not be recycled. The cords tangle around our conveyor belts. Place light strands in the trash. Consider buying lights that are wired in parallel. When 1 bulb dies, the others continue to shine and you only need to replace the one bulb instead of the whole strand.

Plastic and glass ornaments can't be recycled. Only #1 & #2 plastics and glass jars and bottles can be recycled at this time. Consider donating these ornaments to an organization with a tree, reuse them in other decorating ways, or let children play with no longer used plastic ornaments if they are safe.

Plastic bags are not recyclable in your blue bin. They need to be taken to local grocery stores to be collected and recycled. These bags clog our conveyor belts. The best option is to not use these bags in the first place. Get a reusable bag instead.

Metallic wrapping papers are not recyclable. The inks and coatings make them not recyclable. If the paper feels like newsprint or a paper shopping bag, it can be recycled. Purchase wrapping paper from recycled content, wrapping paper that is recyclable, or best yet, forgo wrapping paper with other creative wrapping options.

Pictures from dvice.com, the artful crafter, the chawed rosin, and 5 non blondes

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