It can be the most wonderful time of the year for many, but for those charged with handling the mountains of household waste generated during the holiday season it can get frustrating…and potentially dangerous when consumers mix up what to toss and what to recycle. And the fact that some paper can be recycled and other paper must be tossed only adds to the confusion, so the Wisconsin DNR has come up with guidance that should help make things a bit less messy.
It’s a common idea that all wrapping paper should be thrown out, but if it can be torn and doesn’t have any glitter, foil or other non-paper product it can be recycled in most of Wisconsin. The shiny stuff should be tossed, along with tissue paper that can jam recycling machinery.
Other things to keep out of recycling include holiday light strings and other “tanglers”; plastic bags, film and wrap, batteries and electronics. While many of those can be tossed out, batteries and electronics are usually recycled – but never in your bin. Those are handled separately, and rules vary by location so check your local ordinances and options.
If you’re in doubt, here’s a partial list of what should be recycled on our website, along with a link to the Recycle in Wisconsin webpage where you’ll find answers to other questions you might have about recycling.
What Should Go In Your Recycling Bin
Many items can be recycled anywhere in Wisconsin. These items, which the state bans from landfills, include:
•Cardboard – Flatten boxes before putting them in carts or bins so that recycling equipment can handle them properly
•Newspaper
•Magazines
•Office paper
•Plastic #1 and #2 containers
•Aluminum cans
•Steel (tin) cans
•Glass bottles and jar
And here’s the link to the What to Recycle in Wisconsin webpage
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