‘Tis the season full of cooking, gift wrapping, and new toys. With many households producing a little more waste in the coming weeks, we wanted to take some time and remind residents how they can properly dispose of some of the more unique kinds of waste that occur during the holidays.
Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.s), oh my!
Did you know that anything you dispose of through your kitchen sink makes it into the City’s sewer system? That’s one of the many reasons F.O.G.s should not be put down your kitchen sink. Not only will it cause problems for our municipal sewer system, but it can also clog up your household drains and pipes. Instead of sending F.O.G.s down the drain, below are a few alternative disposal options:
- Pour F.O.G.s into a sturdy container and let harden. Dispose of it in a trash can. (Bonus points if the container is repurposed or recycled!).
- Scrape hardened F.O.G.s straight into a trash can.
- Use paper towels to soak up F.O.G.s from used dishes before washing.
Wrapping paper and ribbons galore
Before you put all your wrapping paper in the recycling bin, make sure to take a look at the design. Any paper that is glittery, metallic, or uses foil is likely not recyclable. If you’re not 100% sure, scrunch it into a ball. Does it stay scrunched? If yes, it can be recycled. If it flattens back out or unfolds, it likely can’t be recycled. Any tape, bows, or ribbon should be removed from the paper and thrown away before it hits the recycling bin.
I upgraded electronics; now what?
Did you get an upgraded electronic as a Christmas gift? If you’re getting rid of old electronics, make sure to recycle them properly. If you’re unsure where to recycle e-waste, check out the City’s household hazardous waste page for more info on local resources.