Refuse firm cautions on Yule trees, wrappings
12/24/2011While many holiday packaging, gift-wrapping, and decorating materials are recyclable, others are not and should not be placed in Toledo recycling bins after Christmas, the city's refuse collection contractor cautions.
"Wrapping paper, while it contains paper, cannot be recycled because it is often dyed and laminated, and may contain nonpaper additives," said Dave Vossmer, general manager at Republic Services Toledo. Such additives include gold and silver coloring, glitter, and plastics, he said.
Ribbons and bows not made of paper are not recyclable, nor is tinsel or any other tree decorations. Recyclable materials include cardboard gift boxes, shoe boxes, tissue paper, cards, envelopes, and paper gift bags.
Republic will not collect Christmas trees. Instead, trees must be stripped of all decorations before residents deliver them to drop-off sites at six Toledo parks: Jermain, Schneider, Ravine II, Detwiler, Bowman, and Greenwood.
The firm suggests saving non-recyclable foam packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse. Goodwill Industries accepts such packing materials at its thrift store at Cherry and Huron streets in downtown Toledo.