the solid waste reduction department of mecklenburg giving...

12
............................................................. ............................................................ Giving Green tips for reducinG waste and GivinG earth-friendly Gifts durinG the holiday season www.WipeOutWaste.com

Upload: others

Post on 23-Jul-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................

Giving Greentips for reducinG waste and GivinG earth-friendly

Gifts durinG the holiday season

w w w.W i p e O u t Wa s t e . c o m

The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg County provides recycling and waste reduction information, programs and technical assistance to Mecklenburg County residents and businesses. Call us at 311 for information or access our web page at www.WipeOutWaste.com to find out more about our programs and workshops. And remember reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday season.

Have a great holiday season!

Mecklenburg county solid waste reduction700 n. tryon street, charlotte, nc 28202

Printed on recycled paper

Page 2: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

be creative. Have a No waste Holiday!Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans generate an extra one million tons of waste per week! That’s not only a lot of trash, but also a lot of money and time spent in frantic shopping, entertaining and general holiday chaos. To help reduce waste and increase your enjoyment of the holidays, Mecklenburg County has put together this booklet of holiday waste-saving tips including great ideas for hassle-free gifts, decorations you can make, and general guidelines on how to reduce, reuse and recycle and make this holiday more meaningful.

Gift wrappingwrap gifts with items from around your home:• Handkerchiefs or bandanas• Old posters and maps• Pages from a child’s coloring book • Old sheet music, newspapers and comics• Last year’s wrapping paper pressed to remove wrinkles• A present in a present (like a hat in a matching

scarf or cookies in a reusable tin)• A plain box or grocery bag decorated with glitter• Home-sewn cloth bags• Fabric or wallpaper scraps• Pictures from magazines and catalogs• A cake pan, basket or a wooden box• Wrapping paper made from recycled paper

packingconsider these alternatives:• Plain Popcorn (perfect for birds to eat)• Biodegradable starch packing peanuts• Crumpled newspapers• Used packing peanuts from a previous gift (many

packing stores take Styrofoam peanuts for reuse)

MecklenBurG county full service recyclinG centers

Open MON - SAT, 7am – 4pm 1. north Mecklenburg recycling center

12300 N. Statesville Road

2. west Mecklenburg recycling center

8440 Byrum Drive

3. hickory Grove recycling center

(was Harrisburg Road) 8007 Pence Road

4. foxhole recycling center

17131 Lancaster Highway

These centers also accept household garbage, which is everything else that can’t be recycled or composted and bulky waste (mattresses, chairs, etc.) from county residents at no charge.

We cannot accept mixed loads. Yard waste, construction/demolition debris, and bulky trash must be separated from each other prior to coming to the facility.

Page 3: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Bows and ribbonsadorn your gifts with these items:• Hair bows, ornaments, shoe laces, toys• Bows saved from previous gifts• Last year’s holiday cards cut up for gift tags• Old neckties or scarves• Whole spices, bundled cinnamon sticks or

cloves in mesh cloth• Scrap fabric, lace, yarn, rickrack and seam tape• Beads and buttons• Dried or silk flowers

holiday tree• Consider buying a potted Norfolk Pine, fig tree,

Ficus tree or indoor house plant that can be used each year as your holiday tree

• Purchase your tree from a tree farm rather than cutting one down in the wild

• Use trimmed tree branches for decorations or wreaths• Buy an artificial tree that can be used year after year• Decorate outside evergreen bushes or pine trees

with removable, reusable decorations

tree ornaments/decoratingtry some of these ideas to add a special touch to your decorating:• Memorabilia, such as a child’s first shoes• Old full skirt for the tree skirt• Old jewelry or mementos from vacations• Small stuffed animals or miniature toy cars• Cookie cutters or dressed-up dolls• Holiday card ornaments• Edible cookie ornaments • Popcorn, cranberry or buttons on a string • Reusable glass icicles instead of disposable tinsel• Gingerbread people or reindeer made from paper bags• Tin can luminary

full-service centers also accept• Appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers)• Scrap aluminum and ferrous metal (bed frames,

swing sets, etc.)• Propane tanks (for gas grills)• Motor oil/antifreeze/transmission fluid

and oil filters (no brake fluids!)• Tires (no more than 5)• Lead acid (car) batteries• Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries• Household batteries• Used clothes (in good condition)• Paint - oil and water-based• Eye glasses• Foam rubber (carpet padding, car seats

without the fabric, etc.)

yard waste accepted Materials• Leaves, brush, grass clippings (unbagged)• Limbs less than 5’ in length and 6”

in diameter (no tree stumps!)• Pallets (unpainted and untreated)

for fee of $1/cubic yard with a $6.50 minimum charge (only at north Mecklenburg)

Page 4: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Pine cone Fire startersMake “fire starters” from pine cones. Melt old candles stubs; dip pine cones in hot wax; place on a piece of wax paper to harden. Fill a muffin tin half full with hot wax; place a wick on the side of the tin and dip wax-coated pine cones into each tin. The wick will be anchored in the hot wax and will attach securely to the pine cone. Cool in freezer 5 to 10 minutes. Turn upside down and cones will fall out. Place under wood and light.

Give the Gift of GivinG BackConsider giving gifts this year that are not resource-consuming. Some of the most meaningful gifts are those we make ourselves. here are a few “thoughtful” ideas:• Look for gifts that are unpackaged or minimally

packaged, without unnecessary plastic wrap or cardboard backing

• Evaluate gifts for simplicity and durability• Buy durable gifts with long-term warranties• Know the store’s return policy and include tags

or receipts for easy exchange or return• Consider whether the gift is environmentally friendly:

Is it safe for children? Is it reusable? Is it recyclable or made from recyclable materials?

• Purchase holiday cards made from recycled paper or make your own from materials around the home

• Help others recycle: give a can crusher• Draw names for gift giving

donation opportunities • Make a donation in someone’s honor to your favorite

charity or non-profit agency with donation acknowledgement

iteMs that can not Be recycled in MecklenBurG county unacceptable Materialsno lids or caps no text books no ceramic cups no plastic grocery bagsno window or windshield glass no pizza boxes no gift bows and ribbon no Styrofoam no plastic food containers no diapersno Pyrex, glass dinnerware no paper contaminated with food residueAlthough Mecklenburg County does not acceptcertain items they can still be kept out of landfills.Visit www.WipeOutWaste.com for alternativeopportunities to recycle.

household construction anddeMolition deBris Mecklenburg County will accept residents’ wood waste, inert materials, plastic and more. For more specific details please visit www.WipeOutWaste.com.

household hazardous waste disposalMecklenburg County helps residents safely dispose of their household hazardous waste (HHW). Most HHW may be taken to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center, Hickory Grove Recycling Center, West Mecklenburg Recycling Center and Foxhole Recycling Center where it is collected by ECOFLO, a licensed HHW transfer, storage and disposal facility. Call 704-336-7759 for a brochure about what constitutes HHW and how to store and prepare it for transfer to these recycling centers.

Page 5: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

• Donate clothing or old household goods that are in good condition to thrift stores and local donation centers such as: Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

• Donate money, food and eating utensils to local food banks such as: Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank and Urban Ministry Center.

Great holiday Gift ideas• Tickets to a play or event • Handmade family recipe book• Memberships • Magazine subscription• Free babysitting • Water-saving shower head• 1 month diaper service • Car safety kit• Reusable lunch bag • Quilts and comforters• Refillable pens • Reusable coffee or tea mug• A family heirloom • Compost bin • Bird feeder and seed • Personalized “coupons”• Canvas shopping bag • Recycled-paper stationery• House plant • Solar watch or calculator• Reusable razor • Durable hand tools • Automatic thermostat • Enjoy time together• Decorative baskets or tins filled with non-hazardous

household cleaners along with a book of safe and natural alternatives

• Energy-saving fluorescent light fixture or bulb • An adventure gift (a ride in a hot air balloon or train)• Make a giant edible homemade cookie card with greeting • Garden goodies: seeds, gloves, tools, etc.

use your iMaGination Before you throw anything away, ask yourself: • Can it be fixed or repaired?• Could it be made more attractive?• Could part of it be used to make something else?• Can any of it be recycled?• Can someone else use it?• Could your discard be someone else’s treasure?

iteMs that can Be recycledin MecklenBurG countyacceptable Materialsplastic bottles and jugs (EXCEPT #6)wide-mouth plastic containersrigid plasticsempty aerosol cansMilk and juice cartons, juice boxesaluminum/steel/tin cansspiral paper cans (i.e. frozen juice cans)

Glass jars/bottles (all colors) (NO lids or caps, ceramic cups, window/windshield glass, Pyrex, glass dinnerware--plates and cups

Junk mail and mixed paper (office paper, junk mail, envelopes, cereal boxes without liners, paper bags, gift boxes, gift wrap, dry food boxes, beer and pop cartons, mail tubes, paper towel rolls, index cards, file folders, paper egg cartons and paper food trays). (NO paper contaminated with food residue, diapers, text books, Styrofoam, plastic food containers, gift bows and ribbons, and plastic grocery bags)

newspaper and insertsMagazines, catalogs and telephone bookseyeglasses flattened corrugated cardboardhousehold batteries (camcorder, laptop, camera, flashlight)

oil filtersappliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.)

lead acid (car) batteriesscrap aluminum and ferrous metal (bed frames, swing)

paint: oil and water-basedMotor oil/antifreeze/transmission fluid (limit 10 gallons)

cooking oiltires (no more than 5)

plastic 6-pack ringspropane tanks from gas grills (empty!)

used clothing in good conditionfire extinguisherscomputers and monitors

Page 6: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Gifts to avoid:• Over-packaged, resource-consuming gifts• Plastic or electric gadgets with limited use• Disposable products• Anything in aerosol cans

(ask for non-aerosol alternatives)

resolutions for the new year• Use only cloth cleaning towels• Install water-saving devices in your toilet and shower• Walk or bicycle at least one car errand weekly• Take a reusable coffee mug to work• Switch to compact fluorescent lights to save energy• Turn down your thermostat at night• Buy recycled products• Learn to backyard compost (take a spring or fall

compost workshop at Mecklenburg County, 336-4304)• Plant at least one tree• Turn off the shower while you soap to save water• Use biodegradable laundry soap rather than

petroleum-based detergents• Reduce your use of pesticides and other household

hazardous products; substitute safer alternatives

party waste reduction tipsthese suggestions can really reduce the amount you have to throw away after a party:• Buy baking goods and snacks in bulk• Consider using reusable tableware• Rent dishes, napkins, cups and saucers, tablecloths

and glasses instead of using expensive disposables• Cut up last year’s holiday cards and use as place cards• Have clearly marked recycling containers at your

party so guests can recycle their cans and bottles

• Encourage your host and hostess to recycle and reuse bows, wrapping paper, cans, glass, etc.

• Point out ways your party demonstrates waste reduction and recycling to spread the word

after the holidays• Save packaging material, wrapping and tissue

paper to reuse• Use leftover gift wrap to line shelves and

dresser drawers• Cut up leftover wrapping paper to make scratch pads• Save bows, ribbons, tags, festive bags and boxes

for next year• Recycle your tree! If accepted in your town put your

trees out for curbside collection with your yard waste or take it to one of our two mulch and compost facilities, Compost Central or North Mecklenburg. For location information call 311.

• Send used holiday cards (front pictures only) to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude St., Dept. MN, Boulder City, NV 89005. Children at St. Jude’s raise donations by creating and selling holiday cards crafted from the old.

“Recycling” Resolutions That Everyone Can Do1. Set up your recycling station. Recycle your bottles,

cans, paper, plastic and everything else you can.2. Drive the most gas-efficient car you can find

and carpool as much as possible.3. Tighten up your house to be more efficient,

using less energy.4. Make a compost pile.5. Reduce and reuse.

Page 7: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Gifts to avoid:• Over-packaged, resource-consuming gifts• Plastic or electric gadgets with limited use• Disposable products• Anything in aerosol cans

(ask for non-aerosol alternatives)

resolutions for the new year• Use only cloth cleaning towels• Install water-saving devices in your toilet and shower• Walk or bicycle at least one car errand weekly• Take a reusable coffee mug to work• Switch to compact fluorescent lights to save energy• Turn down your thermostat at night• Buy recycled products• Learn to backyard compost (take a spring or fall

compost workshop at Mecklenburg County, 336-4304)• Plant at least one tree• Turn off the shower while you soap to save water• Use biodegradable laundry soap rather than

petroleum-based detergents• Reduce your use of pesticides and other household

hazardous products; substitute safer alternatives

party waste reduction tipsthese suggestions can really reduce the amount you have to throw away after a party:• Buy baking goods and snacks in bulk• Consider using reusable tableware• Rent dishes, napkins, cups and saucers, tablecloths

and glasses instead of using expensive disposables• Cut up last year’s holiday cards and use as place cards• Have clearly marked recycling containers at your

party so guests can recycle their cans and bottles

• Encourage your host and hostess to recycle and reuse bows, wrapping paper, cans, glass, etc.

• Point out ways your party demonstrates waste reduction and recycling to spread the word

after the holidays• Save packaging material, wrapping and tissue

paper to reuse• Use leftover gift wrap to line shelves and

dresser drawers• Cut up leftover wrapping paper to make scratch pads• Save bows, ribbons, tags, festive bags and boxes

for next year• Recycle your tree! If accepted in your town put your

trees out for curbside collection with your yard waste or take it to one of our two mulch and compost facilities, Compost Central or North Mecklenburg. For location information call 311.

• Send used holiday cards (front pictures only) to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude St., Dept. MN, Boulder City, NV 89005. Children at St. Jude’s raise donations by creating and selling holiday cards crafted from the old.

“Recycling” Resolutions That Everyone Can Do1. Set up your recycling station. Recycle your bottles,

cans, paper, plastic and everything else you can.2. Drive the most gas-efficient car you can find

and carpool as much as possible.3. Tighten up your house to be more efficient,

using less energy.4. Make a compost pile.5. Reduce and reuse.

Page 8: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

• Donate clothing or old household goods that are in good condition to thrift stores and local donation centers such as: Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

• Donate money, food and eating utensils to local food banks such as: Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank and Urban Ministry Center.

Great holiday Gift ideas• Tickets to a play or event • Handmade family recipe book• Memberships • Magazine subscription• Free babysitting • Water-saving shower head• 1 month diaper service • Car safety kit• Reusable lunch bag • Quilts and comforters• Refillable pens • Reusable coffee or tea mug• A family heirloom • Compost bin • Bird feeder and seed • Personalized “coupons”• Canvas shopping bag • Recycled-paper stationery• House plant • Solar watch or calculator• Reusable razor • Durable hand tools • Automatic thermostat • Enjoy time together• Decorative baskets or tins filled with non-hazardous

household cleaners along with a book of safe and natural alternatives

• Energy-saving fluorescent light fixture or bulb • An adventure gift (a ride in a hot air balloon or train)• Make a giant edible homemade cookie card with greeting • Garden goodies: seeds, gloves, tools, etc.

use your iMaGination Before you throw anything away, ask yourself: • Can it be fixed or repaired?• Could it be made more attractive?• Could part of it be used to make something else?• Can any of it be recycled?• Can someone else use it?• Could your discard be someone else’s treasure?

iteMs that can Be recycledin MecklenBurG countyacceptable Materialsplastic bottles and jugs (EXCEPT #6)wide-mouth plastic containersrigid plasticsempty aerosol cansMilk and juice cartons, juice boxesaluminum/steel/tin cansspiral paper cans (i.e. frozen juice cans)

Glass jars/bottles (all colors) (NO lids or caps, ceramic cups, window/windshield glass, Pyrex, glass dinnerware--plates and cups

Junk mail and mixed paper (office paper, junk mail, envelopes, cereal boxes without liners, paper bags, gift boxes, gift wrap, dry food boxes, beer and pop cartons, mail tubes, paper towel rolls, index cards, file folders, paper egg cartons and paper food trays). (NO paper contaminated with food residue, diapers, text books, Styrofoam, plastic food containers, gift bows and ribbons, and plastic grocery bags)

newspaper and insertsMagazines, catalogs and telephone bookseyeglasses flattened corrugated cardboardhousehold batteries (camcorder, laptop, camera, flashlight)

oil filtersappliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.)

lead acid (car) batteriesscrap aluminum and ferrous metal (bed frames, swing)

paint: oil and water-basedMotor oil/antifreeze/transmission fluid (limit 10 gallons)

cooking oiltires (no more than 5)

plastic 6-pack ringspropane tanks from gas grills (empty!)

used clothing in good conditionfire extinguisherscomputers and monitors

Page 9: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Pine cone Fire startersMake “fire starters” from pine cones. Melt old candles stubs; dip pine cones in hot wax; place on a piece of wax paper to harden. Fill a muffin tin half full with hot wax; place a wick on the side of the tin and dip wax-coated pine cones into each tin. The wick will be anchored in the hot wax and will attach securely to the pine cone. Cool in freezer 5 to 10 minutes. Turn upside down and cones will fall out. Place under wood and light.

Give the Gift of GivinG BackConsider giving gifts this year that are not resource-consuming. Some of the most meaningful gifts are those we make ourselves. here are a few “thoughtful” ideas:• Look for gifts that are unpackaged or minimally

packaged, without unnecessary plastic wrap or cardboard backing

• Evaluate gifts for simplicity and durability• Buy durable gifts with long-term warranties• Know the store’s return policy and include tags

or receipts for easy exchange or return• Consider whether the gift is environmentally friendly:

Is it safe for children? Is it reusable? Is it recyclable or made from recyclable materials?

• Purchase holiday cards made from recycled paper or make your own from materials around the home

• Help others recycle: give a can crusher• Draw names for gift giving

donation opportunities • Make a donation in someone’s honor to your favorite

charity or non-profit agency with donation acknowledgement

iteMs that can not Be recycled in MecklenBurG county unacceptable Materialsno lids or caps no text books no ceramic cups no plastic grocery bagsno window or windshield glass no pizza boxes no gift bows and ribbon no Styrofoam no plastic food containers no diapersno Pyrex, glass dinnerware no paper contaminated with food residueAlthough Mecklenburg County does not acceptcertain items they can still be kept out of landfills.Visit www.WipeOutWaste.com for alternativeopportunities to recycle.

household construction anddeMolition deBris Mecklenburg County will accept residents’ wood waste, inert materials, plastic and more. For more specific details please visit www.WipeOutWaste.com.

household hazardous waste disposalMecklenburg County helps residents safely dispose of their household hazardous waste (HHW). Most HHW may be taken to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center, Hickory Grove Recycling Center, West Mecklenburg Recycling Center and Foxhole Recycling Center where it is collected by ECOFLO, a licensed HHW transfer, storage and disposal facility. Call 704-336-7759 for a brochure about what constitutes HHW and how to store and prepare it for transfer to these recycling centers.

Page 10: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

Bows and ribbonsadorn your gifts with these items:• Hair bows, ornaments, shoe laces, toys• Bows saved from previous gifts• Last year’s holiday cards cut up for gift tags• Old neckties or scarves• Whole spices, bundled cinnamon sticks or

cloves in mesh cloth• Scrap fabric, lace, yarn, rickrack and seam tape• Beads and buttons• Dried or silk flowers

holiday tree• Consider buying a potted Norfolk Pine, fig tree,

Ficus tree or indoor house plant that can be used each year as your holiday tree

• Purchase your tree from a tree farm rather than cutting one down in the wild

• Use trimmed tree branches for decorations or wreaths• Buy an artificial tree that can be used year after year• Decorate outside evergreen bushes or pine trees

with removable, reusable decorations

tree ornaments/decoratingtry some of these ideas to add a special touch to your decorating:• Memorabilia, such as a child’s first shoes• Old full skirt for the tree skirt• Old jewelry or mementos from vacations• Small stuffed animals or miniature toy cars• Cookie cutters or dressed-up dolls• Holiday card ornaments• Edible cookie ornaments • Popcorn, cranberry or buttons on a string • Reusable glass icicles instead of disposable tinsel• Gingerbread people or reindeer made from paper bags• Tin can luminary

full-service centers also accept• Appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers)• Scrap aluminum and ferrous metal (bed frames,

swing sets, etc.)• Propane tanks (for gas grills)• Motor oil/antifreeze/transmission fluid

and oil filters (no brake fluids!)• Tires (no more than 5)• Lead acid (car) batteries• Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries• Household batteries• Used clothes (in good condition)• Paint - oil and water-based• Eye glasses• Foam rubber (carpet padding, car seats

without the fabric, etc.)

yard waste accepted Materials• Leaves, brush, grass clippings (unbagged)• Limbs less than 5’ in length and 6”

in diameter (no tree stumps!)• Pallets (unpainted and untreated)

for fee of $1/cubic yard with a $6.50 minimum charge (only at north Mecklenburg)

Page 11: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................ w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

be creative. Have a No waste Holiday!Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans generate an extra one million tons of waste per week! That’s not only a lot of trash, but also a lot of money and time spent in frantic shopping, entertaining and general holiday chaos. To help reduce waste and increase your enjoyment of the holidays, Mecklenburg County has put together this booklet of holiday waste-saving tips including great ideas for hassle-free gifts, decorations you can make, and general guidelines on how to reduce, reuse and recycle and make this holiday more meaningful.

Gift wrappingwrap gifts with items from around your home:• Handkerchiefs or bandanas• Old posters and maps• Pages from a child’s coloring book • Old sheet music, newspapers and comics• Last year’s wrapping paper pressed to remove wrinkles• A present in a present (like a hat in a matching

scarf or cookies in a reusable tin)• A plain box or grocery bag decorated with glitter• Home-sewn cloth bags• Fabric or wallpaper scraps• Pictures from magazines and catalogs• A cake pan, basket or a wooden box• Wrapping paper made from recycled paper

packingconsider these alternatives:• Plain Popcorn (perfect for birds to eat)• Biodegradable starch packing peanuts• Crumpled newspapers• Used packing peanuts from a previous gift (many

packing stores take Styrofoam peanuts for reuse)

MecklenBurG county full service recyclinG centers

Open MON - SAT, 7am – 4pm 1. north Mecklenburg recycling center

12300 N. Statesville Road

2. west Mecklenburg recycling center

8440 Byrum Drive

3. hickory Grove recycling center

(was Harrisburg Road) 8007 Pence Road

4. foxhole recycling center

17131 Lancaster Highway

These centers also accept household garbage, which is everything else that can’t be recycled or composted and bulky waste (mattresses, chairs, etc.) from county residents at no charge.

We cannot accept mixed loads. Yard waste, construction/demolition debris, and bulky trash must be separated from each other prior to coming to the facility.

Page 12: The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg Giving ...montclaire28210.com/otherdocs/HolidayRecyclingWEB.pdf · packing consider these alternatives: • Plain Popcorn (perfect

w w w.W i p e O u t Wa ste . co m

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

w w w . W i p e O u t W a s t e . c o m ............................................................................................................................

Giving Greentips for reducinG waste and GivinG earth-friendly

Gifts durinG the holiday season

w w w.W i p e O u t Wa s t e . c o m

The Solid Waste Reduction Department of Mecklenburg County provides recycling and waste reduction information, programs and technical assistance to Mecklenburg County residents and businesses. Call us at 311 for information or access our web page at www.WipeOutWaste.com to find out more about our programs and workshops. And remember reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday season.

Have a great holiday season!

Mecklenburg county solid waste reduction700 n. tryon street, charlotte, nc 28202

Printed on recycled paper