The Holidays are a Time to Rejoice, Reflect... and Recycle

RWS says wrapping paper, packing material and gift boxes don't have to be thrown away

PORTLAND, Maine ö The holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends to rejoice and reflect. The resulting mounds of strewn wrapping paper, packing material, cardboard and gift boxes means it's also an ideal time to recycle and reuse.

One way to deal with the barrage of post-holiday clutter is to recycle it in a Regional Waste Systems recycling container, says a board member of RWS, a non-profit municipal-owned organization that serves 27 communities in southern Maine.

More than 100 recycling containers in 60 locations are available in member communities, in parking lots at supermarkets, municipal buildings, high schools and gas stations. Residents who live in the growing number of communities with curbside pickup of recyclables also are encouraged to participate.

"Wrapping paper, gift boxes and even Styrofoam peanuts don't need to go in the trash," said Susan McGinty of Cumberland, a board member at RWS and chair of its Recycling Committee. "Recycling your paper and boxes can be a holiday gift to the environment."

RWS offers the following facts, tips and guidelines for dealing with the aftermath of holiday celebrations:

- Almost all holiday wrapping paper is recyclable. The only exceptions are the types made with foil or glitter. Acceptable wrapping paper can be dropped off at one of the familiar silver RWS recycling bins located throughout southern Maine. Wrapping paper should be placed in the bin with paperboard and corrugated cardboard, not mixed papers. The same is true in towns and cities served by curbside pickup.

- Shirt boxes, gift boxes and corrugated cardboard boxes are all recyclable, and also are accepted at the drop-off locations in the appropriate bin as well as a part of a community's existing curbside pickup program.

- Styrofoam is not recyclable. However, most commercial mailing centers (Mail Boxes Etc., Package Plus, etc.) accept Styrofoam peanuts for re-use. Please call ahead to make sure. Molded Styrofoam must be discarded in the trash.

- Most municipalities have removal programs for discarded Christmas trees, either placed curbside following the holidays or at designated collection locations. The trees are often ground up for mulch and composted. Inquire at your municipal office.

McGinty added that wrapping paper or any plastic materials should never be burned in a fireplace or wood stove because of environmental concerns. She suggested, too, that wrapping paper could be saved and re-used the following year.

For additional information, persons may call 871-SORT at RWS or visit the RWS web site at www.regionalwaste.org to find the location of the nearest RWS recycling container.

Regional Waste Systems is a non-profit solid waste management corporation that is owned and operated by 21 cities and towns (Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Gray, Harrison, Hollis, Limington, Lyman, North Yarmouth, Ogunquit, Portland, Pownal, Scarborough, South Portland, Waterboro, Windham and Yarmouth), and also has six associate member towns (Baldwin, Hiram, Naples, Parsonsfield, Porter and Standish.)

RWS has the largest, most comprehensive municipal recycling program in the state with more than 100 recycling bins in 60 locations throughout southern Maine. More than 16,000 tons of recycled materials are processed each year. Established in 1974 after Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough decided to form a cooperative to handle their waste disposal, RWS today is governed by a 28-member board, consisting of officials appointed from member communities. RWS accepts solid waste and recycled materials from these communities. For additional information on RWS, visit the RWS web site at www.regionalwaste.org.

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