Holiday recycling, disposal

American households produce 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

This includes everything from food waste, wrapping paper, discarded electronics, holiday decorations, packaging, and everything in between. We get caught up in the fun and forget about the environmental impact the holidays can have.

Here are a few reminders on proper disposal this holiday season.

Popcorn Tins
Popcorn tins are recyclable curbside if they are 1-gallon or 128 oz in size or smaller. Anything larger and they need to be dropped off at a facility that accepts scrap metal such as the Portage County Transfer Facility.

Many popcorn tins are too large to be properly sorted by equipment.

Before recycling, remove any left-over kernels and paper dividers (all are trash). When recycling other steel or tin cans, rinse them to remove the majority of the residue and push lids back in cans. If not pushed back in or left loose in the bin these metal tops will fall through our sorting equipment and end up with our glass or paper and tossed by the mill.

Labels and glue do not need to be removed. When steel cans get processed into new steel, it’s are melted at temperatures upwards of 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, incinerating labels and glue in the process.

Wrapping and Tissue Paper
Due to the limited amount of recoverable fibers in wrapping and tissue paper, they are unrecyclable by our paper mills (even if it has the chasing arrows symbol or words “recyclable” on it). When paper gets recycled the fibers get smaller and smaller to a point where they can no longer be captured and reused in new paper or cardboard.

Most wrapping and tissues papers are made from the shortest fibers. Many also contain small pieces of foil or plastic to make them shimmer and shine. These small pieces are very difficult to remove during the recycling process and therefore are not wanted by the paper mills. Please toss all wrapping and tissue paper in the trash.

Gift Bags
Holiday gift bags are reusable and recyclable. If recycling, remove any non-paper handles before placing them in your curbside cart.

Greeting Cards
Holiday cards and envelopes, if they are not on photo paper, can be recycled. If the card is drenched in glitter, we ask that you toss that portion into the trash as it’s difficult for paper mills to remove glitter from the mix.

Much of the paper recycled here in Portage County gets recycled into hand paper towels or toilet paper and no one, except maybe a 5 or 6-year-old, wants to use glittery toilet paper.

Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes need to be broken down before placing them in your cart or bin. Before recycling, large plastic windows should be removed and tossed into the trash. Protective packaging such as molded plastic, Styrofoam, or twist ties need to be removed and tossed into the trash as well.

Molded paper or cardboard can be recycled as long as it has been flattened, a few good foot stomps should do the trick. Paper directions or booklets are recyclable as well.

Single Use Items
Single use items are just that, single use. If you don’t want to save and reuse them at the next gathering, then they do need to be disposed of in the trash. All plastic single use cups, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. are trash. Paper plates and napkins need to go into the trash as well.

Ornaments
Broken or unwanted ornaments are trash, even if made from glass or ceramic. Same with broken cups, plates, or baking ware. These items are not compatible with glass bottles or jars. Only glass bottles and jars are recyclable.

A general rule for glass recycling, if it packaged a beverage or food item, and this does include mason jars, then it’s recyclable. Remove corks and caps and toss those into the trash before recycling the bottles.

Holiday Lights
Stands of holiday lights are not a curbside recyclable item. They wrap around sorting equipment, similar to how hair wraps around the vacuum cleaner, and causes expensive shutdowns and inefficient sorting.

Strands of holiday lights and netting, can be dropped off for recycling at one of the following locations through the end of January: Portage County Solid Waste in Plover, Veterans Memorial Park parking lot in the Village of Plover, City of Stevens Point Public Drop-off, Recycling Connections in Stevens Point, the Village of Amherst Village Hall, Village of Park Ridge Village Hall, Town of Amherst Town Hall, or Town of Hull Municipal Building.

If you have any questions give us a call at 715-343-6297 or join our Facebook community @PortageCountyRecycles.

Amanda Haffele is the director of Portage County Solid Waste