This time of year keeps garbage and recycling collectors hopping as people get rid of extra waste. You might be wondering what to do with that old artificial tree or if wrapping paper is recyclable. Here are our top tips to help you clean up:
Wrapping paper is recyclable
Most wrapping paper is recyclable in blue carts and at community recycling depots. The exception is foiled paper.
Separate bows and ribbons, which can’t be recycled, and bunch up the wrapping paper into a ball. It can then go straight into your blue cart or to a depot. Wrapping paper should not be bagged.
Recycle your real Christmas trees
Real Christmas trees can be recycled through the Christmas Tree Recycling program. If you have door-to-door garbage collection from The City, put your tree out where you put your garbage by 7 a.m. on January 8. Make sure it is at least one foot away from your blue and black carts. The tree will be picked up within two weeks.
Trees can also be taken to one of eight drop-off locations until January 18. Make sure all ornaments are removed. The trees should not be tied or bagged.
Because artificial trees are made of more than one material, they can’t be recycled. Instead, break them down and put them out with your regular garbage in bags or your black
Keep your old electronics out of the landfill
Many electronics contain chemicals and heavy metals that are harmful to the environment if buried in the ground. Some also contain reusable parts.
Old televisions, computers and monitors, laptops, electronic notebooks, printers and some additional devices are accepted at 25 locations throughout the city. If your electronics still work, consider donating or selling them.
Know your options for excess recycling
If you have more recycling than will fit in your blue cart, consider saving some for the next week. You can also visit one of the over 50 community recycling depots. Although our crews collect from the depots seven days a week, at this time of year they fill up fast. Make a note of the two or three closest depots before you leave your house. If one is full, there will be others within a few kilometres.
Help keep your collector safe
On a typical day, your garbage collector can lift over 12,000 kilograms of trash – the equivalent of lifting two elephants. If you’re setting out garbage bags, please make sure each one weighs no more than 20kg (44lbs). As a rule of thumb, if you can lift it with one hand, it should be ok.
And, as always, make sure any sharp material is safely wrapped, and never place household hazardous waste in your garbage or recycling, instead drop it at one of The City’s locations for hazardous waste collection.
For more information, please visit www.calgary.ca/waste or call 3-1-1.
This time of year keeps garbage and recycling collectors hopping as people get rid of extra waste. You might be wondering what to do with that old artificial tree or if wrapping paper is recyclable. Here are our top tips to help you clean up: 
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Should also mention that a lot of plastic and cardboard containers many christmas gifts are sealed can also be recycled. It's very shocking to see how many homes have a lot of packaging being thrown in the trash.
ReplyDeleteKevin, you should see what my neighbor threw out for this morning's garbage pickup! I should've taken a picture.
ReplyDeleteI live outside the city where we still have curbside pickup in bags. I've seen quite a few houses with huge bags that you can tell are packed full of cardboard and paper. I've also seen a few trees that have been cut down in bags. Not hard to tell when you see branches sticking out of a bag. It would be nice if they could some how require proper recycling of real christmas trees.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know if cookie tins ....the ones that bought shortbread or fancy cookies or chocolates can go in the blue box??? I can only find mention anywhere of foil containers...not the more sturdy ones. I have about 10-15 I have been collecting but a household can only support a few a year for storage of other items....HELP!!!
ReplyDeleteAny pure metal tins/cans that held food are recyclable in the Blue Cart Program. Thanks for asking:)
ReplyDelete