The holiday season brings many things into and out of your home: packages delivered, gifts wrapped, and boxes opened. What to do with it all? Here’s are some tips to help you reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill.
Buying: Rather than ordering gifts online, consider buying from local stores, including second-hand shops. This supports our local economy and reduces transportation costs and emissions.
Wrapping Paper: Not all wrapping paper can be recycled. Paper with glitter or foil is not recyclable and should be thrown away. Paper-based wrap can be recycled. Remove ribbons and bows and stash them away for reuse. Instead of single-use paper, wrap gifts with a piece of cloth or a reusable cloth bag, then tie with a ribbon.
Packaging: Paper mailing envelopes can be recycled curbside. Plastic and bubble mailing envelopes do not go in your curbside recycling but can be dropped off at most grocery stores. Cardboard boxes can be reused, but when they’re ready for recycling, please break them down.
Styrofoam: While it’s not recyclable curbside, it can be dropped off at Green Century Recycling in northwest Portland. Fees apply.
Batteries: Batteries are a huge problem in the garbage and recycling system! Please keep them out of your garbage and blue recycling carts. To dispose of them properly, tape the ends of all non-alkaline batteries, place them in a clear sealed bag, and put them in your curbside glass bin or find a drop-off location.
Ridwell: This subscription service often accepts non-curbside recyclable materials like Styrofoam, plastic bags, and plastic film.
Enjoy all that this season sends your way! And when in doubt about how to dispose of something — find out! For more information, try this handy search tool on Metro’s website tinyurl.com/yb7cxyn8 or call (503) 234-3000 to talk to a helpful human.
Liz Erickson has lived in the neighborhood with her husband and two children since 2009. Growing up in Beaverton, she remembers visiting grandparents on NE 42nd and walking to Rose’s Ice Cream for a scoop of butter brickle. She’s a Master Recycler volunteer with Metro and served in the Peace Corps in Morocco.