Holiday recycling tips from the Winneshiek County Recycling Center

Did you know that wrapping paper is not recyclable? Winneshiek County Recycling Director Terry Buenzow says the plastic-coated paper turns into a gooey substance which wrecks the pulping process.

"Paper mills hate Christmas wrapping paper," explains Buenzow. "It can have a wide variety of coatings on it that make recycling it impossible. Some versions have no paper content to it at all. Even if the wrapping paper says it is recyclable, the paper mills do not want it. Paper mills go through hundreds of tons of paper each day and there is no practical way for them to know what wrapping paper is good and what is not."

Wrapping paper isn't the only thing that should go in the trash during this holiday season. A large number of things commonly used during the holidays have no viable recycling to them: glittery holiday cards, bows, ribbons, plastic bags, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, paper plates, plastic cups, napkins, and plastic silverware should all go in the trash.

When you do recycle, Buenzow says make sure you are doing it properly and not creating more work for the recycling center. "When recycling a box, be sure to take out any Styrofoam and plastic that was used for packaging and throw it away. Recycle only the cardboard box. Cardboard should always be recycled as it is not allowed in our landfill."

For a complete list of what materials can be recycled, go to: http://www.winneshiekcounty.org/departments/recycling