MADISON — This year, before you toss a stack of wrapping paper in the trash or toss a few old batteries in the trash, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking you to consider whether they really belong here.
The agency is asking Wisconsinites to think about what they throw away during the holidays, what can be recycled and what should be put into local recycling bins.
DNR Statewide Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Semrau said many items can be recycled at all recycling facilities across the state.
These include #1 and #2 containers made of steel, aluminum, glass and plastic, including soup cans, soda bottles and other cans. Glass salsa jars can be recycled, as can water, milk and detergent bottles.
”Whether you’re in La Crosse, Milwaukee or the North Woods, all of these items can be recycled throughout Wisconsin,” Semrau said.
But there are some items—like certain types of plastic—that you might be able to recycle at home rather than at grandma’s house several hours away.
“Check with the owner to see if there is anything that can be recycled,” Semrau said. “But when in doubt, throw it away.”
However, when it comes to wrapping paper, make sure you pay attention to the materials used to create the design. Got glitter or foil? Then throw it in the trash.
Wrapping paper without glitter or foil can be recycled, but make sure it is folded neatly before throwing it away. Wrapping paper rolled into balls may not be sorted correctly at recycling facilities, causing headaches for workers.
“The only common reason the projects give for not using wrapping paper at all is that people tend to throw away bows and ribbons with the wrapping paper when they recycle,” Semrau said.
But if this is not possible, make sure there is no foil or glitter in the bag, cut off the handle and recycle the bag. Pens, bows and ribbons can be thrown in the trash.
“Like other types of paper towels such as Kleenex, napkins and paper towels, they should be thrown in the trash,” Semrau said.
Resist the urge to throw old garlands in the trash or recycle them. They can cause classification problems, get tangled up in devices and cause slowdowns, Semrau said.
If you want to recycle your lights, find a holiday lantern recycling center in your area. Then professionals can handle them correctly and safely.
More information: Food waste in landfills is a surprisingly powerful driver of climate change. A Door County farm uses it to fuel its crops.
Electronics and batteries can pose serious hazards to waste management workers, so it’s best not to take any chances. Instead, find a local large recycling facility and make a plan to take your old equipment there for safe disposal.
Food waste is one of the largest waste products that ends up in landfills in Wisconsin, producing greenhouse gases as it decomposes.
Thinking about how to reduce food waste during the holidays can have a big impact on how much food ends up in the landfill after a large gathering or family dinner, said Sarah Murray, e-bike coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR.
Be sure to check expiration dates and expiration dates on spices and jars at home, and remember that these dates do not necessarily mean the contents will not be safe to eat before that date. Before you buy new ones, Murray recommends using your senses—taste, smell, sight—to determine whether the bottle of nutmeg you bought last year is suitable for making cookies.
When buying food to cook for your loved ones, don’t overdo it. Buy only what you need to fill your stomach. If you have leftovers, consider packing them up and sending them home with guests or freezing them for those cold January evenings when you don’t feel like cooking.
If you serve food on disposable plates and disposable cutlery during dinner, these should also be thrown in the trash.
Just like with food waste, if you throw your Christmas tree in the garbage and it ends up in a landfill, it will rot and release harmful gases into the air.
Instead, consider mulching the tree and scattering it across your lawn or placing it in your backyard as wildlife habitat. Otherwise, check to see if there are drop-off locations in your area and take your tree there instead of just leaving it on the side of the road.
For more information on reducing household waste during the holidays, visit www.dnr.wisconsin.gov.
Post time: May-30-2024