Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District: Tips for Holiday Recycling

Cleveland OH

02 December, 2020

10:21 AM

Description

Press release from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District: Dec. 2, 2020 Want to make the season brighter by reducing waste and conserving resources? The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (aka. Cuyahoga Recycles) is encouraging residents to green the holidays with easy tips for reducing, reusing and recycling: Bring broken, burned out holiday lights to the District. The Solid Waste District accepts broken, burned out or tangled strings of holiday lights for recycling year-round. Simply drop unwanted light strings, power cords and power strips in the marked box in the District's office lobby at 4750 East 131st Street in Garfield Heights. Hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Light strings are recycled by a Cleveland company to benefit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's lion and cheetah conservation program. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags). During the nation's busiest shopping season, bring your own shopping bags to reduce waste. Folded, reusable shopping bags also make great stocking stuffers and gift bags, too. Recycle old cell phones and other electronics at retailer near you. Each year 130 million cell phones are thrown out – that's about 65,000 tons. If you're getting or gifting a new smartphone this year, drop off its predecessor at any AT&T, Best Buy, Staples, Verizon or other retailer that offers in-store recycling services. The District also accepts personal electronics for recycling year-round at its location in Garfield Heights at 4750 East 131st Street. Recycle gift wrap & gift boxes. Wrapping paper, holiday cards and boxes that are 100 percent paper can be recycled. Don't forget to have your recycling container or craft paper bag handy while everyone is opening gifts! Recycle plain cards and wrappings with your regular curbside paper collection or take it to a local mixed paper drop-off. Please do not include photos, foil, plastic coating, ribbon, bows and glitter in your recycle bins. Don't pitch your Christmas tree – recycle it. Nearly 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill after the holidays each year. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can still recycle it. Many cities in Cuyahoga County offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips. Visit www.cuyahogarecycles.org/recycling_in_your_community to learn more. Party time! Get out the old china dishes. Avoid using paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups, plastic wrap and foil pans – none are recyclable. Provide guests with personalized, reusable cups. If you are packaging leftovers, reuse plastic containers or glass jars instead of throw-away alternatives and choose reusable silicone stretch lids for bowls. Recycle right at holiday gatherings Place well-marked recycling bins next to trash cans so it's an easy choice to recycle at your next gathering. Serve beverages in aluminum cans and bottles that can be recycled. No matter how large your holiday gathering is, encourage guests to recycle right. For more information on these tips and many more ways to go green this holiday season, visit CuyahogaRecycles.org. This press release was produced by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. The views expressed here are the author's own.