Holidays: The perfect time to recycle | cnbnews.net
Sunday, December 21, 2014
DOVER (Dec. 20, 2014) – DNREC reminds Delawareans that holiday time is the right time to trim your “wasteline” while helping the environment – by recycling all those extra mail order boxes, gift-wrapped packages, tags and cards. It’s easier than ever to recycle these holiday items and more through Delaware’s Universal Recycling program, and keeping them out of the state’s landfills is a holiday gift to the earth.
Delaware’s Universal Recycling program is single stream – meaning holiday season recycling is easier because no sorting is needed: simply toss all your recyclables into your recycling container for curbside pickup or drop them off at a DSWA recycling drop-off center. Single-stream recycling is now available to all single and multi-family residences and to all businesses, non-profits, organizations, municipalities, and schools in Delaware.
An updated “How to Recycle” guide is available on DNREC’s website at www.recycling.delaware.gov. The guide’s center page features a handy list with images of items that can be recycled in Delaware.
Here are some helpful tips for recycling this season, as well as for reducing and reusing materials for the holidays next year:
- Recycle unwanted boxes, wrapping paper (without foil backing), card stock type gift tags, cards and envelopes along with all the holiday catalogues and promotional mail. Tissue paper cannot be recycled.
- Recycle your Christmas tree. Trees must be free of all ornaments, lights and other trimmings as well as tree stands and other stabilizing materials. Please note: Christmas trees are no longer accepted at Delaware State Parks, but can be taken, for free collection, to a DNREC-run or approved yard waste recycling center. To recycle your tree, you may also contact your waste collector or find a list of drop-off locations at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste.
- Collect and reuse boxes, tissue paper, ribbons, bows and other gift decorations for next year.
- Save used holiday cards to cut up as gift tags for next year.
- Use dishes, silverware and cloth napkins instead of disposable utensils, Styrofoam and paper products.
More information on recycling in Delaware can be found at www.recycling.delaware.gov or by calling DNREC’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances at 302-739-9403.