{"id":18105,"date":"2021-12-09T10:34:45","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T17:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theumphx.com\/2021\/12\/09\/dos-and-donts-with-recycling-this-holiday-season\/"},"modified":"2021-12-09T10:40:39","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T17:40:39","slug":"dos-and-donts-with-recycling-this-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theumphx.com\/2021\/12\/09\/dos-and-donts-with-recycling-this-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Dos and Don\u2019ts With Recycling this Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Lauren Wong<\/h5>\n

We all know that when it comes to the holiday season our trash bins are fuller than ever, maybe even jam packed to the brim. On average, there\u2019s a 25% increase in accumulated waste that comes from every American household.<\/p>\n

Stanford University published an article<\/a> that shows the extensive difference we can make by saving just a few things that we\u2019d normally throw away without a second thought. If every family set aside just two feet of ribbon every Christmas while opening up their presents, then combined as a nation, we\u2019d have 38,000 miles of ribbon. That\u2019s enough to tie a bow around the entire planet.<\/p>\n

If every family reused materials for wrapping just three presents, we\u2019d collectively save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. There\u2019s plenty of unique ways you can go about when it comes to wrapping. Typically, wrapping paper is used once and then just ends up in a landfill. Try wrapping presents in items you already have that you have no need for. For example, wrap small gifts in colorful pages torn from a magazine and bigger presents in newspapers you\u2019ve already read, or the Sunday comics.<\/p>\n

Roughly 2.65 billion Christmas cards are bought every year. Enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. If everyone just sent one less Christmas card, 500,000 cubic yards of paper would be saved each year.<\/p>\n

When you throw stuff into your recycle bin, though with good intentions, mistakes are costly. Endless hours are spent by employees that sort through and discard items that should\u2019ve been thrown in the trash. The good news is that with just a little extra time on your part by making sure everything you put in that blue bin is indeed recyclable, we can make these workers\u2019 lives a lot easier, and avoid contaminating what actually is recyclable.<\/p>\n

So here are some tips to keep in mind this season\u2026<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re at the store shifting through those bins filled with decorative wrapping paper, look for ones made of recycled paper. Don\u2019t assume all wrapping paper is recyclable. Regular and glossy paper are recyclable, but anything with non-paper additives goes in the trash. For example, if your paper has metallic flakes, glitter, foil, plastics, or is heavily laminated, those go in the trash. Do not recycle bows or ribbons. Additionally, lights and tinsel should always be thrown away.<\/p>\n

The best thing you can do is attempt to avoid wrapping paper entirely, or at least limit it. You can find plenty of festive reusable bins, baskets, or boxes to put your gifts in. And, they can have all the glitter and embellishments your heart desires! Saving bows and ribbons from all those presents that Santa brings saves you money, and an extra trip to the store. While shopping, bring your own reusable bag to avoid all of the plastic waste that comes from stores.<\/p>\n

Amazon, and all the convenience it brings, has become the new go to place when it comes to checking things off your list. When your packages arrive, be sure to break down all those cardboard boxes and toss them in your recycle bin.<\/p>\n

Planning on upgrading your phone or laptop this Christmas?\u00a0 Drop off your old gadget at a local electronic recycling center.<\/p>\n

This is all a lot to remember as your mind is occupied with all the joy and stress that comes with the holidays. Here\u2019s a broken down list of exactly what goes in trash and what\u2019s recyclable.<\/p>\n

TRASH:<\/strong><\/p>\n