What’s the best way to bid fir-well to that natural Christmas tree and recycle all that paper wrapping and packaging from opened gifts? We’ve got an answer for that and a few more common questions about holiday recycling.
What can I do with my Christmas tree?
Starting this week, Austin homeowners who get their trash picked up by the city at the curb can recycle their natural Christmas trees there, too — but all decorations and stands must be removed.
Austin Resource Recovery says you can put out your tree by 5:30 a.m. on your regular composting collection day. Trees taller than 6 feet need to be cut in half, and don’t put the tree in a plastic bag.
According to the city, this kind of recycling keeps nearly 20,000 Christmas trees out of area landfills every year and contributes to Austin’s goal of reaching zero waste by 2040.
What if I’m not a curbside trash customer?
The city says all residents can take their trees to the recycling drop-off site in Zilker Park — but trees with artificial snow are not accepted, and trees must not have decorations or stands still on them.
You can drop trees off at the Zilker Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, or the following week on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8.
But wait, there’s more! Mulch collected from the trees will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 12 — weather permitting — and be sure to bring your own containers.
What if I don’t live in Austin?
These locations are accepting trees for recycling free of charge (but a contamination fee will be added to any trees with tags, decorations and/or plastic):
- Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant, 2210 FM 973, Austin
- Texas Disposal Systems Landfill Creedmoor: 3016 FM 1327, Creedmoor
- Texas Disposal Systems and Garden-Ville Bee Cave: 4001 RR 620 South, Bee Cave
- Whittlesey Landscape Supplies, 3219 Interstate 35 South, Round Rock
- Whittlesey Landscape Supplies, 629 Dalton Lane, Austin
- Kinser Ranch LLC, 10701 Kinser Lane, Austin
- Good Guys Tree Service, 10713 RM 620 North, Austin
- Travis County Collection Center, 2625 Woodall Drive, Cedar Park
- Travis County East Service Center, 6011 Blue Bluff Road, Austin
- Travis County West Service Center, 4501 RM 620, Austin
- Del Valle Softball Complex, 3614 FM 973 Del Valle (behind the Southwest Rural Center)
What can I do with my used wrapping paper?
Wrapping paper and cardboard can go into the blue single-stream recycling cart. But wrapping paper with glitter or foil cannot be recycled and should go in the trash, Austin Resource Recovery says.
How do I get rid of packaging materials?
Styrofoam can be dropped off at Austin’s Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center at 2514 Business Center Drive in Southeast Austin. For foam packing peanuts, seal them in a bag before placing them in the trash. Many postal stores will accept packing peanuts, too.
The Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center is open by appointment only. Visit austintexas.gov/dropoff to schedule an appointment.
More:Flying home or for vacation? What qualifies as a carry-on item might surprise you
What else will the drop-off center take?
Making an appointment for the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center is a great option if you want to recycle old electronics and batteries, especially if you got new gadgets for Christmas. Visit Austin Resource Recovery’s “What Do I Do With” website at austintexas.gov/what-do-i-do. The interactive site lets you type in a household item and find out which city service can help you dispose of it.
When will trash be picked up?
When Austin’s trash, recycling and yard trimmings/compost collection dates fall on Christmas or New Year’s Day, trash pickup slides forward one day. But because the holidays fell on a Sunday this year, your collection day will not slide.
This Link is Source Fromnews.google.com
