The holiday season is a time for family, festivities and presents, and what better way to give back to mother earth than to learn how to recycle your Christmas tree, wrapping and packaging material, and reduce waste.
The San Diego Department of Public Works provided the following tips on what to recycle and how to do it properly:
Christmas Trees
While brand new synthetic Christmas Trees can lasts years, real trees will not last from four to six weeks. According to the county, properly recycled trees and wreaths can be turned into mulch that will improve soil health and help soil retain moisture at our parks, farms, home gardens and landscapes.
Recycling them also keeps trees from going into the trash where they can unnecessarily fill up landfills and generate greenhouse gasses as they decompose.
Visit WastefreeSD.org, to find Christmas tree drop-off sites near you.
Which packaging can be recycled?
Not all packaging can be recycled into the blue recycling bin. Cardboard boxes and kraft paper can be recycled, but material that cannot be recycled includes: manila envelopes, padded plastic mailers, bubble-wrap and traditional gift-wrapping materials including metallic wrapping paper, wrapping paper with glitter, ribbons, bows, twine, tissue paper and cellophane.
Here’s a link to learn more about how to Recycle Right, during the holidays and every day.
What about Christmas and Holiday Cards?
Just like packaging material, not all holiday cards can be recycled. Simple paper cards and envelopes can be added to your blue bins. But cards that have glitter, foil, metallic inks (inks made with tiny metal flakes) or other adornments can’t.
County heath officials also urge residents to not put old holiday lights in recycling bins as they can tangle up recycling equipment and out workers in danger. Visit WasteFreeSD.org, or contact a scrap metal or e-waste recycler for recycling options.
The city of Chula Vista also compiled a list of tips for a more sustainable holiday.
