Adrian, MI – The Lenawee County Solid Waste/Recycling Department has tips for how to dispose of holiday décor:
Christmas Lights
While those tangly and burnt-out strings of holiday lights may seem like an easy toss into the garbage – don’t act so fast. There are places where you can take them for recycling! Metal scrappers and e-recycling programs may welcome them.
Here are some locations within Lenawee County that will take your string lights:
R&M Recycling, 2675 Treat St, Adrian
Goodwill Recycling, 1357 Division St., Adrian
OmniSource, 815 Treat St., Adrian
Note: Contact these businesses for their hours and any other information.
If you would rather mail your old lights out for recycling, visit www.holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling. Make sure to fill out the online form as well, because they will send you a coupon toward new lights once they confirm shipment.
Artificial Christmas Trees
If it is time to say goodbye to an artificial tree that has been decking your halls for a while – the first thing to consider before it goes into trash is whether or not it can be reused. Unfortunately, most artificial trees are not recyclable because they are made of PVC. That’s why finding a use for those branches instead of directing them toward the landfill is important.
Most of the local charity thrift stores will accept donations of used artificial trees and décor. You can also contact family members or friends who may want to change up their holiday decorations with a new (to them) tree next year.
Another way to put it to reuse is to cut the branches for crafts and decorations. Make an artificial wreath or garland with the clippings, or set them aside to use in a table display.
Real Christmas Trees
Before you do anything to dispose of your real Christmas tree, make sure you have removed all ornaments and decorations. Leftover bling can make it difficult for whoever processes it.
Most municipalities and waste carriers within the county have a Christmas tree pickup program, so make sure you contact them for more information if you want to dispose of it curbside.
Another option is to put your old tree to a new purpose in your garden. Mulch it to help keep your weeds at bay in the spring. If you have a compost pile, you can put in your Christmas tree! It is recommended, however, to remove the needles as they can slow down the decomposition process.
If you or someone you know has a wooded area on your property, consider placing the tree there to serve as a temporary shelter for wildlife as it decomposes.
Other decorations
The key to keeping ornaments and tinsel out of the landfill this year is to repurpose them! Most of them are made out of materials that cannot be recycled, but that doesn’t mean they have to go right in the trash. Broken ornaments can be used in crafts, such as mosaics. Tinsel and garland can be saved for similar projects, or for a substitute for ribbons on gifts next year.
Stopping to consider if something can be reused or recycled before tossing it in the trash can go a long way toward limiting the amount we send to the landfill from our annual festivities.
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