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Christmas Recycling In Las Cruces

Christmas music is playing in malls, in cars and through headphones. In the next few weeks, Christmas decorations will be dusted off, fluffed up and hung around the house – inside and out. You discover a strand of Christmas lights that doesn’t light up this year. So, do you sit in the chilly wind and figure out which of the 800 bulbs is the problem, or do you toss the 50-foot length of wire and lights in the trash and move on with your decorating?

Whatever you do, be sure strands of lights do not go into a blue recycling bin. Your old Christmas lights become dreaded “tanglers” once they reach a recycling processing plant. “Tanglers” – Christmas lights, electric cords, chains, water hoses and even plastic bags – bind up conveyor belts, wind around turning parts, and wreak havoc in a recycling processing plant. Put them in the trash, not the recycling bin!

“We want to remind customers that while the volume of traditional recycling increases immediately after the holidays, the quality of recyclables goes way down,” said Miguel Fernandez, South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) Recycling Services administrator. “When you put unacceptable items in your blue bin, workers have to spot them and remove them at the recycling processing facility before they cause a problem. With tons of material, it’s a daunting job.”

The Recycling Partnership  (www.recyclingpartnership.org) notes: Every holiday season, Americans unknowingly cause big problems at local recycling facilities by placing the wrong items in their blue carts. Although intentions are good… the cost of dealing with those misplaced items is alarming.

CHRISTMAS RECYCLING No-Nos:

NO strands of lights or tinsel in blue bins

NO glittery, flocked or foil wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, or cards

NO Styrofoam

NO pizza boxes, because of food contamination (melted cheese and grease stains)

CHRISTMAS RECYCLING YES-YESes:

● Consider choosing an experience over product for loved ones: Gift concert tickets, movie tickets, a meal at a favorite restaurant, or a long weekend out of town, to reduce waste and make lasting memories;

● Shop and wrap sustainably – consider using paper grocery bags or newsprint to wrap your gift;

● Reuse ribbons and bows;

● Recycle high quality corrugated cardboard boxes – clean, dry and flattened

Need a reminder of when your recycling is picked up? Sign up with Recycle Coach! The free Recycle Coach reminders will alert you in advance by text, email, or a phone call – your choice. Sign up at www.SCSWA.net.

Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) managing solid waste, recyclables, and working to stop illegal dumping for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.