How to recycle right this holiday season

Between Thanksgiving week and New Year’s Day, people generate 25 percent more waste than they do on average.

But there’s good news. Almost 80 percent of what is thrown away during the holidays can be recycled or reused. The Pinellas County Department of Solid Waste is here to help by providing you with the “dos and don’ts” of holiday recycling.

Here are items that can be placed in your recycling bin:

• Wrapping paper (paper only)
• Cardboard boxes
• Paper boxes
• Paper cards and envelopes
• Catalogs
• Glass bottles and jars
• Plastic bottles and jugs
• Aluminum, tin and steel cans

The following items will contaminate recycling, so they should be kept out of your recycling bin and reused, donated or placed in your garbage container:

• Christmas lights
• Garland and tinsel
• Foil wrapping paper
• Ribbons and bows
• Bubble wrap
• Plastic air pillows
• Foam products
• Paper and plastic plates
• Batteries
• Plastic bags

For more information about holiday recycling, reuse and more, view the Holiday and Gift Giving Guide on our website.