Helpful Holiday Recycling Tips

During the weeks following Christmas and New Year’s, Rumpke often sees a spike in materials at its recycling facilities. While the cardboard boxes from online shopping and empty beverage bottles from family parties are wonderful for recycling, there are a few items to keep out of your recycling this holiday season, including:

• Electronics and batteries
• Christmas lights
• Plastic bags

Here’s how to stay on Santa’s “nice list”

The Nice List: Recycle These Items

• Wrapping paper (not foil)
• Cardboard boxes
• Newspapers and sales ads
• Clean pizza boxes
• Gift boxes
• Gift bags (paper, not foil)
• Cards & envelopes
• Wrapping paper rolls (cardboard)
• Junk mail
• Plastic bottles & jugs
• Aluminum beverage cans
• Steel food and drink cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Cartons and juice boxes

The Naughty List: Don’t Put These in Your Recycling

• Electronics and batteries
• Christmas lights
• Extension cords
• Plastic bags
• Ribbons, bows and tinsel
• Plastic packaging
• Plastic toys
• Tissue paper
• Foil wrapping paper
• Packing peanuts and bubble wrap
• Whipped topping and butter tubs
• Aluminum pie pans and roasting pans
• Ceramics