After the stockings have been emptied and bellies stuffed, you may be left with a mountain of recycling. If so, where to put it all could bring out your inner Grinch.
Instead of tossing items unnecessarily into the trash or being overly generous to your recycling bin, take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly misplaced recyclables this time of year.
Greeting cards may be going digital, but old school holiday and gift cards may have made their way into your living room. Keep cards with glitter, other plastic features or batteries out of your recycling, as the system is not designed for them. Similarly, gift paper with a plastic metallic layer or other plastic elements, such as bows, goes in the trashcan.
Gift bags can be reused but if they’re headed for the recycling, rope handles and other non-paper features should be removed.
Electronics from under the tree may have been cushioned in polystyrene. If it’s squishy, it goes to depots in the same bin as plastic bags and candy wrappers. If it can crumble into smaller pieces easily, it goes in the depot bin for foam. Glass containers are also destined for the recycling depot.
Faulty twinkle lights can go to Augusta Recyclers or the ReturnIt Bottle Depot’s small electronics bin.
Parties that became a little rambunctious may have resulted in broken dishware or glasses. Sorry to be a party pooper, but these are not accepted in curbside or depot programs.
Your holiday tree probably still has some more life in it, but you can start to think about responsible disposal. Locals fundraisers often offer a tree-chipping service for a donation in early January. Removing ornaments and tinsel is key to prevent plastic contamination. If you are backyard composting, cutting off branches and layering your pile will speed up the process.
Candles make moments a little more magical. When they burn out, the remaining wax can still find a unique use locally. Drop your wax candles off at Townsite Market’s collection bins outside of OneLight’s fire starter facility. Wax can still be in metal or glass containers and can be beeswax, soy or paraffin.
Broken toys, even if entirely made of plastic, must go in the garbage or become an interesting art project. Toy chests may be overflowing after Santa’s visit. A great practice to introduce to your household is to pass along one pre-loved toy for every new-to-you toy. Double check that donations are in good, clean condition.
Plastic wrapping is nearly inevitable anytime of the year, but in particular when we are celebrating. Many sweet and savoury holiday treats are wrapped in a plastic that falls into the “Flexible Plastic Packaging” collected at recycling depots but not in curbside bins. This category also includes cheese wrappers, zipper lock pouches, stand-up pouches, cereal bags, mesh orange bags, bubble wrap, plastic envelopes, vacuum-sealed meat packaging and woven rice bags.
Following the deluge of holiday abundance, we can start the year out right by managing what’s left behind responsibly. Happy New Year from Let’s Talk Trash!
Let’s Talk Trash is contracted by qathet Regional District to deliver its waste reduction education program. For more information, email [email protected] or go to LetsTalkTrash.ca.
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