Make Recycling Part of Your Holiday Cheer!

The holiday season is here, and with it comes an increase in waste—25% more than the rest of the year, to be exact! Let’s work together to reduce waste and recycle the right way. Here’s how you can stay on Santa’s nice list and help protect the environment.

Stay on Santa’s Nice List: Recycle These Items

Make sure all items are clean and dry before placing them in the recycling bin:

• Flattened cardboard boxes
• Catalogs
• Paper boxes, cards, and envelopes
• Plastic bottles and jugs
• Aluminum and tin cans
• Glass bottles and jars

Avoid the Naughty List: Don’t Recycle These Items

Reuse, donate, or toss these items instead:

• Christmas lights and trees
• Garland, tinsel, and wrapping paper
• Ribbons, bows, and bubble wrap
• Styrofoam and plastic bags
• Aluminum foil and pans
• Paper plates, napkins, and cups
• Batteries, clothing, and electronics

Proper Disposal Tips

• Batteries: Standard alkaline batteries can go in the trash, but rechargeable ones need to be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). Visit www.mymanatee.org/hhw for more info.
• Live Christmas Trees: Set these at the curb on your yard waste collection day (no longer than 4 feet, decorations removed). Artificial trees go with regular garbage—they’re not recyclable.
• Avoid Contamination: Placing items like plastic bags, lights, or tinsel in your recycling cart can damage sorting equipment and reduce recycling success.

Visit Manatee County's Waste Wizard for assistance on how to properly dispose of your item(s).