GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- You see it at the end of just about every holiday season: trash bins on the curb, overflowing with waste that's left over from all the gift-giving and decorating. This year, Brown County Resource Recoveryis offering ideas for how you can recycle more after the holiday.
When it comes to Christmas trees, you can turn your old tree into a shelter for birds and small animals in your backyard. Sprinkle bird seed or corn around the base of the tree to make sure the critters have enough to eat. If you prefer to get rid of your tree altogether, instead of dumping it on the curb, donate your tree to the N.E.W Zoo or Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
Brown County Resource Recovery asks that you keep your holiday lights out of the recycling bin. Lights, string and rope can get caught in the sorting machines, causing breakdowns. To avoid throwing them in the trash, donate your old Christmas lights to Habitat ReStore or bring them to the Hazardous Material Recovery facility for safe disposal. Other holiday decorations can be donated to a nonprofit or second-hand store.
Boxes, tissue paper, gift bags and even wrapping paper can be reused if it’s in good shape, Brown County Resource Recovery says. If these items are not salvageable, make sure you are disposing of them correctly. Tissue paper is not recyclable and plastic bags should never go in your curbside recycling bin.
For more information, go to www.browncountyrecycling.org/recycling-acceptable-material
