After the Festivities: Handling Holiday Waste

By the end of the holiday season, many households find themselves drowning in a sea of garbage. To manage this seasonal spike in waste, it's essential to navigate the recycling rules that differ from one area to another.

Navigating Recycling Regulations

Dan Hoornweg, with expertise in energy engineering at Ontario Tech University, stresses awareness of local recycling mandates. These rules dictate which materials are fit for recycling and which require disposal in the trash.

Vigilance in sorting waste can prevent loss of valuables often thrown out by mistake during this hectic period.

Managing Different Types of Waste

Cardboard from online orders tends to accumulate. Hoornweg suggests flattening these boxes and tying them for collection, to improve recycling efficiency.

Not all wrapping paper can be recycled. Those with metallic finishes, glitter, or waxy textures usually need to go into the trash, as do styrofoam products.

Christmas Trees: From Decoration Back to Nature

Several cities run programs to recycle Christmas trees, turning them into mulch. Gerald Gorman from Boston's Public Works highlights the importance of removing all decorations before handing over the tree.

To prevent recycling system jams, make sure that things like lights and plastic leftovers aren't mixed up with suitable recycling materials.

Composting and Reducing Food Waste

Composting is a great way many regions deal with food waste. With a staggering 30-40% of food supply going to waste across the country, Hoornweg suggests limiting purchases to what's necessary to avoid excess.

For instance, opting for a smaller turkey can prevent the need to discard uneaten portions.