During the holiday season, recycling facilities often face challenges due to non-recyclable items being mistakenly placed in blue commingle carts. While the intention to recycle is commendable—recycling plays a critical role in combating climate change—these mistakes can lead to costly disruptions and contamination at recycling centers. Here’s how you can help keep holiday recycling smooth and effective:
String lights
- Do Not Recycle in Commingle Bins: Long, stringy items like lights can tangle sorting equipment, causing delays and hazards. String lights can be recycled, free of charge, at Deschutes Recycling and any county transfer station.
- Repair First: Try fixing broken lights before disposing of them.
- Scrap Metal Bin: Non-repairable string lights can be taken to the scrap metal bins at Deschutes Recycling or any county transfer station.
Wrapping Paper, Gift Bags, Cards, and Bows
- Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Purchase recycled-content wrapping paper or use creative alternatives like newspapers, magazines, old maps, or art projects.
- What’s Recyclable: Paper-based wrapping paper and holiday cards without glitter or metallic finishes can go in your commingle cart.
- What’s Not: Shiny or photo cards and metallic/glittery wrapping paper must go in the garbage.
- Reuse: Save bows, ribbons, and gift bags for future use.
Cardboard and Packing Materials
- Flatten and Recycle: Flatten cardboard before placing it in your commingle cart to prevent overflow. Flattened cardboard is also accepted for free at Deschutes Recycling or any county transfer stations.
- Remove Non-Recyclables: Remove all packing materials like Styrofoam, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap.
- Reuse Packing Materials: Pack Ship and More accepts packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse.
Natural Trees, Wreaths, and Swag
- Preparation for Recycling: Remove all wire, decorations, lights, tinsel, and wire frames before recycling.
- Curbside Yard Debris: If you have a yard debris cart, cut trees into smaller pieces to fit with the lid closed.
- Free Drop-Off: Trees are accepted free of charge at Deschutes Recycling and County Transfer Stations through January.
- Support Local Scouts: Boy Scout troops collect trees to raise funds for their activities.
Electronics
- Do not put in commingle bins or trash: Electronics contain hazardous substances that e-cycling keeps out of landfills and incinerators, protecting health and the environment. Oregon’s e-waste program lets residents recycle computers, monitors, TVs, and more for free. Other electronics can be recycled for a small fee at Deschutes Recycling.
- Batteries: Do not put button-cell, coin, or lithium single use batteries in the trash or recycling bins. Batteries can explode when heated, burned or damaged. They can be recycled at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Deschutes Recycling, county transfer stations or local retailers.
By following these tips, you can reduce waste, prevent contamination, and help make the holidays more sustainable for everyone. Happy holiday recycling!
