OCEAN COUNTY – With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, it is important to be aware of where we dispose of all those decorative wrappings. While we don’t think about where wrapping paper should go after we anxiously tear it away from our new gifts, The Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management asks you to consider it more carefully this year.
Wrapping paper can be recycled, but bows, ribbons, and ornaments belong in the trash. How can we tell what is recyclable and what is not? Well, that is what the Department is here for! They are responsible for determining what is recyclable and what is trash. If you follow the guidelines set out by the Department, you can be more environmentally conscious this holiday season.
Things that can be recycled safely are:
- Plastic bottles, if the neck is smaller than the base of the bottle
- Glass containers of all shapes and sizes
- Cans (aluminum, steel, tin, and aerosol)
- Paper products
- Cardboard
- Mixed paper (i.e. magazines, paperback books, newspapers, etc.)
Ideally, you want to clean out bottles or containers first before recycling them. The same goes for paper or cardboard products, such as pizza boxes.
“In general, the rule for paper products is ‘If it’s clean then it’s green and can be recycled.’ The cleanliness of recyclable material is the premium when our vendors market the material Lakewood provides. For example, if oil or cheese drips onto the pizza box, it no longer can be recycled,” said Steve Hill, recycling coordinator.
In addition to those items, be aware of what you should throw in the trash bin, such as:
- Bottle caps, lids, and pumps
- Any waxed items (paper or cardboard)
- Plastic bags
- Styrofoam
- Coffee pods
- Telephone books or hardcover books with the covers torn off
- Paints and oils
For bulk trash, you must make an appointment to have this picked up from your curb. This only gets removed once a month. If you have empty prescription bottles, it is better to dispose of them in the receptacle by the police department. Try to remain recycling-conscious and be aware of what you can and cannot throw in your trash can this holiday!
For more information or questions, call 732-905-3405.
