The holiday season is a time of celebration, but it also leads to an increase in waste. In the United States, the amount of trash rises by about 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This includes packaging materials, decorations, trees, electronics, and more. Many of these items can be reused or recycled with some planning.
Cardboard and plain wrapping paper should be placed in blue recycling carts. Materials like Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and plastic films are not accepted curbside but can be dropped off at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center where they are processed for reuse. Ribbons and bows cannot be recycled but may be saved for future use. To cut down on packaging waste from online shopping, residents are encouraged to consolidate orders and consider using reusable gift bags or newspaper as alternative wrapping.
For holiday cards, sending electronic versions instead of traditional paper cards reduces paper use. Received cards can be repurposed as gift tags or decorations.
Broken string lights should not go into regular recycling bins because they can cause safety issues at recycling facilities; instead, they should also go to the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center.
When replacing electronics during the holidays, old devices should not be thrown away due to their hazardous components such as lithium batteries and chemicals. Austin residents have options for responsible disposal: old electronics can either be scheduled for on-demand bulk collection or taken directly to the drop-off center. Accepted items include cell phones, microwaves, televisions, washers and dryers.
Artificial trees can be brought to the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center for proper handling. Natural trees may be set out for curbside composting starting December 26 for customers who have that service; others may take their natural trees to Zilker Park on designated days for recycling. More details are available at https://www.austintexas.gov/treerecycling.
By following these steps during the holidays, individuals can help reduce waste while celebrating responsibly.
