Fayetteville, AR – The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the excess trash from most households as they deal with parties, presents and other holiday activities. Since Fayetteville operates a Pay-As-You-Throw residential trash program, managing this extra volume can prove somewhat of a challenge. Reminder- 2010 extra bag stickers can be used through January 13th, 2011 for extra trash at holiday times.

The City’s recycling markets requests that no wrapping paper or tissue paper be collected with our mixed paper because of contamination with tape, glitter, etc.; however, styrofoam packing peanuts and possibly bubble wrap can be taken to most mailing companies. Please check with them before bringing this type of material to them. Here are some helpful hints as we go through this busy period of the year.

• Be creative with “no wrap” options. Hide that large, unwieldy gift somewhere in the house or yard. Give the recipient a card with a series of clues leading to the present.
• Wrap gifts in materials that can be reused, such as baskets, tins, scarves, and handkerchiefs.
• Gift bags are an attractive, reusable alternative to wrapping paper.
• Newspaper comic pages and magazines make unique gift wrap – and they’re recyclable. Old posters, maps, and blueprints work great also.
• If you purchase gift wrap, look for paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.
• Unwrap gifts carefully. Dedicate a collection area for gift wrap, trim, and boxes to be reused next year.
• Instead of Styrofoam packing peanuts and bubble wrap, cushion gifts with recyclable newsprint or plastic grocery bags, unbuttered popcorn, or corn-based packing peanuts that disintegrate in water.
• Save and reuse packing peanuts that you receive or donate them to a local mailing and shipping store.
• Avoid the holiday mail bottleneck by sending an electronic greeting card via the internet. There is a wide selection of colorful, animated cards to fit all occasions.
• Cut up and use last year’s holiday cards as this year’s gift tags.
• Give gifts like movie passes or donations to organizations on behalf of someone are especially meaningful.
• Avoid disposables. Serve your holiday guests with reusable plates, cups and utensils. Less waste goes to landfills, and real dishes lend an elegant touch to your party.
• Artificial trees can be used year after year.
• If you live in a single family home in Fayetteville, the City will collect and compost your live Christmas trees. Place trees with no tinsel, lights, ornaments or other decorations out on your normal collection day until January 13th 2010 for this disposal option. Fayetteville residents can bring Christmas trees to the compost facility during normal operating hours for composting free of charge.
• Always try to use rechargeable batteries for all your new gifts. This reduces disposal problems with regular batteries.

The Fayetteville Recycling Drop Off located in front of the Solid Waste and Recycling offices at 1560 S. Happy Hollow Road is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for those wanting to drop off extra recyclables from holiday activities.

Do you have extra E-Scrap items like old computers or T.V.’s that need to be recycled after the Holidays? If so, call the Washington County Environmental Affairs Office at 444-1725 for recycling options.

For more information about your solid Waste and Recycling services please contact the Solid Waste and Recycling Office at 575-8398 or visit us at www.accessfayetteville.org and look under the Solid Waste and Recycling page.