All of the gifts have been opened, and everyone is enjoying their new toys. But what do you do with all of the boxes and wrapping paper?

Christmas trees

• Two rounds of curbside collection begins in January (click here for the schedule and rules).
• Drop-off site disposal is also available.

Cardboard boxes

• Empty all of the boxes before recycling them. Most of the extra packaging in boxes belong in the trash, or recycled separated.
• Flatten all the boxes in order to save space in your collection carts.
• Be sure to follow the guidelines if you have more than will fit in to the cart.

Paper Coffee Cups

• Empty and dry paper cups can go into the recycling.
• The plastic lid goes into the trash.
• The carboard sleeve should be taken off the cup and placed into the recycling separately.

Plastic odds & ends

• Toys and other gifts are often secured to their boxes with plastic tabs - those tabs go into the trash.
• Straps, sheets, plastic wrapping of video games, and a lot of other plastic stuff that comes with our gifts belong in the trash, too.
• The triangle with an number only shows what kind of plastic the item is made from - that symbol doesn't mean its recyclable.
• Only put appropriate plastics into the recycling cart.

Gift bags

• Save them to reuse next year (and the year after that)
• Do not place these bags into the recycling
• These bags should go into the trash.

Holiday Cards

• Cards that are just plain paper can be recycled
• Ones that contain foil or glitter should be placed into the trash
• One that play songs, light up, or perform other functions because they are powered by a battery should be placed into the trash if the battery cannot be removed
  • The card would be taken apart and the battery removed to be recycled separately. 
  • Cards are powered by lithium batteries usually and they can be a fire hazard.

Styrofoam

• Never place Styrofoam in the recycling cart.
• Take it to a drop-off site if it is the right kind of foam.
• Remember - just because the Styrofoam sheet has a triangle and a number on it doesn't mean it belongs in your recycling cart.

Electronics

• Never place electronics in your recycling cart.
• Take them to a drop-off site.
• Some items require a recycling fee.

Wrapping Paper

• Plain decorative wrapping paper is recyclable.
• Paper with foil is not recyclable and belongs in the trash.
• The cardboard tube of paper is recyclable as well

Bows & Ribbons

• These go into the trash (or stored to use again next year)
• Be sure to separate them from the wrapping paper.

Greeting Cards

• Simple greeting cards can be recycled.
• Ones with foil, glitter, or other metallic embellishments belong in the trash
• Cards that play music need to have battery & music device removed

Gift Cards

• If they cannot be re-loaded with funds and used again, they belong in the trash.

String / Twine / Twist Ties

• These tanglers all belong in the trash.

 

General Recycling tips

• Keeping the lid of the recycling cart closed protects the material inside from the rain and snow that can damage paper.

• Make sure the cart is out by 6:30am on your scheduled collection day.

• Use the available guides to be sure you are putting the right things in the collection cart.

• If you are running out of space in your cart regularly, upgrade to a larger size cart for free. Or if you have the largest cart already, you can purchase an additional cart for a one-time fee.

 

what happens to your recycling?

Watch a video about the Pellitteri Waste Systems recycling facility sorts everything you have placed into the recycling carts.

 

Recyclopedia & Fact sheets

Looking for more information on Streets Division services and even more recycling details? Download the 2021 Recyclopedia. The booklet is also available in the following languages:

• Spanish / Español
• Chinese / 中文
• Hmong / Hmoob

 

For a quick reference guide, you can print this one.

You can even use the lid of your recycling cart, which may have this guide on it.

Our universe of stuff is complicated and constantly changing. So you may still encounter an item or question that is not covered by any of these resources. Please contact us and we'll help.