Reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday season
The holiday season is upon us. While it will feel different this year with the pandemic, there will still be ways to celebrate – and ways to avoid waste in your holiday celebrations. While most people are used to separating recycling from garbage, there are more ways to reduce our waste and recycle better in our homes this season.
Guest-imate food correctly
While public health officials are discouraging people from gathering with others outside their household, you may need help planning a holiday meal for fewer people and ideas for what to do with more leftovers. Visit SaveTheFood.com for help estimating how much food you will need so you can waste less food. You can also learn how to properly store groceries and leftovers to enjoy them longer. Want to do even more? Start collecting food scraps with a free food scraps collection kit. Learn more at RamseyRecycles.com/FoodScraps.
Wrap it up
As much as half of the paper consumed in the United States is used to wrap and decorate gifts. Most wrapping paper with glitter, foil and similar embellishments is not recyclable. And the fibers in wrapping paper are typically too short to be recycled again. Try wrapping your gifts in kraft paper, newspaper, fabric gift wrap or reusable gift bags. Receiving lots of deliveries from online shopping? Remember to flatten all cardboard delivery and recyclable gift boxes before placing them in your curbside recycling cart. For more tips on how to recycle better, visit RamseyRecycles.com/GeneralRecycling.
Dispose of holiday lights the right way
Holiday and other string lights don’t belong in your curbside recycling cart. Cords and string lights can tangle up and damage sorting machines at recycling facilities. Ramsey County residents can drop off lights and cords, household chemicals and more at the year-round household hazardous waste collection site in Saint Paul. View a list of accepted items and learn more at RamseyRecycles.com/HHW.
Give your tree a future
When the holidays have passed and your live tree is no longer decorated, drop it off at a Ramsey County yard waste collection site. Please be sure to remove all decorations, lights, wire, tinsel and tree bags. Want to save the trip? Contact your trash hauler to see if they accept trees for disposal curbside. A fee may be charged. Learn more and find which yard waste sites accept trees at RamseyRecycles.com/YardWaste.
New tech toys
If you receive new electronics for the holidays, don’t throw out your old ones in the trash. Consider selling, gifting or donating working electronics you no longer need. Or get an upgrade for less by buying used. If your old electronics don’t work, check RamseyRecycles.com/AtoZ for recycling options.
While you’re enjoying the season with holiday celebrations, gifts and more, brush up on your recycling know-how to minimize waste while maximizing cheer! Learn how you can reduce waste and recycle better in your home at RamseyRecycles.com.