FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
As residents begin to haul out the holly this holiday season, Springfield Environmental Services reminds folks that broken string lights and used décor items can often be recycled or repurposed through donation, reducing the uptick in holiday waste taken to the landfill.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away approximately 25 million tons of garbage during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period. That’s 25% more than average and accounts for 1 million extra tons per week.
“This year, we want people to consider ways to make more joyful memories instead of making more waste,” explains Market Development Coordinator Ashley Krug. “Spend more time with family and friends. Give experiential gifts like a dinner out, a membership or an online subscription instead of more stuff.”
For those holiday items that can’t be reduced, Krug suggests that by recycling and donating, valuable landfill space can be saved for many Christmases to come. See the following tips below for holiday recycling resources. To learn more about recycling and repurposing options for thousands of additional items, visit the City’s new Waste Wizard searchable database at springfieldmo.gov/recycling.
HOLIDAY RECYCLING RESOURCES:
Artificial Trees & Holiday Décor:
Artificial trees and holiday decor in usable condition are accepted for free at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2410 S. Scenic Ave.) as well as Missouri Council of the Blind Thrift Stores (2713 N. Kansas Expy.) This is a great way to give your tree a second chance and bring holiday cheer to a new family.
“Trees and decor in poor condition may also be disposed at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill. But we really urge residents to think of the trash as a last resort for all items,” Krug adds. “About 70% of the materials we find in the landfill could have been recycled.”
String lights:
As residents pull out decorations from past years, they may notice a string of lights or two that no longer work. Holiday lighting can be recycled at the following locations:
Computer Recycling Center
528 N. Prince Lane - 417-866-2588
Fee: None
Complete Electronics Recycling
2935 W. Chestnut Expy - 417-864-4415
Fee: None
Home Depot
2935 E. Independence – 417-881-7277
Fee: None
Disposal box located at the Christmas Tree lot.
Lowe’s
1850 E. Primrose St. location only
Fee: None
All Metal Recycling
3340 W. Division - 417-862-0011
Fee: None (Pay 10 cents/lb.)
Subject to change.
Commercial Metals Company
634 E. Phelps - 417-862-0548
Fee: None (Pay 10 cents /lb.)
Subject to change.
Household holiday recyclables:
The following holiday items are accepted at the Lone Pine (3020 S. Lone Pine Ave.), Franklin Avenue (731 N. Franklin Ave.) and Yardwaste Recycling Center (3790 S. Farm Road 119, Brookline) facilities open Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Nov. 25, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1):
- Paper - Wrapping paper, wrapping tissue paper, greeting cards and paper decor with no foil or glitter are accepted.
- Paperboard gift boxes and wrapping paper tubes are accepted. These technically qualify as paper, so please deposit in the paper bin.
- Corrugated cardboard boxes are accepted. Please flatten to save space.
- Plastic, glass & aluminum beverage containers from your holiday parties. Please rinse out first.
- Plastic food containers and metal cans from your holiday meal prep. Must be rinsed and free of food. No need to remove lids or labels. Aluminum pans from your Turkey or casseroles are NOT accepted. No plastic bags please!
Plastic Shopping Bags:
Residents are encouraged to grab their reusable bags and totes before heading to the stores. This is a great way to reduce single-use plastics that ultimately end up in the landfill.
If you forget your totes at home, plastic bags can be recycled at some large retail locations. Many thrift stores will also accept clean, usable plastic bags. Call first to check if a location is accepting bags.
Learn more about how to recycle, repurpose and create less waste throughout the holiday season by following @SGFEnvironmentalServices on facebook or Instagram. For questions about recycling opportunities in Springfield visit springfieldmo.gov/recycling or call the recycling hotline at 417-864-1904.
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For more information, contact Communication Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or [email protected].