This holiday season, Republic Services, Inc. () reminds you to incorporate sustainability into your family traditions and work celebrations with seven helpful holiday recycling tips:聽. With parties, decorations, cards, gift giving, and travel, Americans generate 25 percent more trash than normal during the holiday season, or one million extra tons of waste. Roughly 80 percent of what is thrown way during the holidays could be recycled or reused, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 鈥淭he hustle and bustle of the holiday season leaves little time to think about what to recycle or throw away,鈥� said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability at Republic Services. 鈥淏ut, there are several opportunities to make simple, sustainable choices throughout the season. We are excited to share our holiday recycling suggestions, and hope they help customers across the country to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible this season.鈥�
Republic鈥檚 2015 Holiday Recycling Suggestions:
Top 7 Sustainability Tips
- Recycle wrapping paper, even the sparkly stuff!
- Trash the ribbons and bows. Better yet, reuse them!
- Paper bags = recycle. Laminated bags = reuse or trash.
- Put down the pen and paper, and email your holiday card.
- Instead of popping that bubble wrap, save it and reuse it.
- Before you recycle, separate paper and plastic.
- Do not use foam for packing, use shredded paper instead.
Holiday Recycling Checklist
- Boxes (gift, shoe and shipping)
- Wrapping paper (plain or sparkly)
- Tissue paper
- Holiday cards and envelopes (without embellishments)
- Gift bags (paper)
Better to Reuse or Dispose
- Bubble wrap
- Ribbons and bows
- Gift bags (laminated, coated or dyed)
- Cellophane
- Packing peanuts (polystyrene foam)
Important Reminders
- Toy packaging made of heavy cardboard is not recyclable unless the cardboard is separated from the plastic.
- Sticky gift tags are not recyclable by themselves, but they are acceptable if affixed to an envelope or wrapping paper.
- Check with your local provider to confirm which items can be recycled in your community, holiday collection times or special instructions for Christmas trees.
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