Post-Holiday Recycling

Whew-you made it through another whirlwind Christmas. How did it go? Gauging by the mound of garbage at my door, I'd say things went pretty well here. But this year instead of chucking it all in the trash, I'm going to recycle. And you should too. Everything from your cardboard boxes to your Christmas tree can be reused. So gather it up and get ready to save the planet.

Boxes
If you're lucky enough to have curbside recycling, it's likely the program will accept both flat and corrugated cardboard. Break down all those boxes from your new electronics and toys and send them to the curb. No curbside recycling? Visit The Recycling Center's website to find a center in your town, or check with local grocery stores to see if they accept boxes. And don't forget egg nog and other cardboard food containers-just give them a good scrub before dropping them in the recycling box.

Batteries
Because of all the toxic metals in rechargeable batteries-think mercury, lead acid, nickel cadmium, alkaline, and nickel metal hydride-it's important that you dispose of them properly. And thanks to the Battery Act of 1996, recycling rechargeable NiCard, NiMH, Lithium-Ion, and sealed lead-acid batteries is easier than ever. The next time you're out and about swing by a local retail store like Home Depot, Wal-Mart, or Target to drop off your dead rechargeable batteries to be recycled. The best part? It's free!

Wrapping Paper
Not all wrapping paper is recyclable. If it has metallic specks or is very thin, you can't send it to the recycle center. Rather than throw it away, pass it through the shredder and use it as filler for other presents.

Christmas Tree
And finally, you can't forget the tree. Read about all your recycling options here.

Autor: Randall Noblet

Lexicon Consulting, Inc

The Home Know-It-All: Your One-Stop Shop for Home Design, Improvement, and Repair

Added: February 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/