Now that Christmas is over...

Christmas is over and my annual ritual of breaking down gift/cardboard boxes is complete. I was hoping to be setting out a box from a new 52" T.V., but Santa delivered it to the neighbors. Instead, I got to recycle a couple boxes from new lamps. Many items from Christmas gifts are recyclable, such as toy boxes, shoe boxes, and cardboard boxes too. Our recycling hauler tells me that gift wrap is not recyclable, but the rolls from gift wrap are. I know this recycling thing can still be confusing, but try to bear with me.

Christmas trees are going to start showing up at the curb and please remember that most garbage haulers require you to call them to set up Christmas tree recycling. Some charge a small recycling fee and most only pick up through the first week or two into January. There is also a free Christmas tree recycling drop-off site for Hennepin County residents at RRT Processing Solutions at 630 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis. They only accept them for a limited time in January. For more information call 612-331-3993.

Too Many Phonebooks

Do you ever wonder why we receive seventeen phonebooks each year? Yes, I'm exaggerating a bit, but it sure seems like a waste to get more than one phonebook. Some people don't even use a phonebook, they just look up a number online or call for directory assistance (if you like free directory assistance try 1-800-GOOG-411, but the City and I are not officially endorsing it of course).

Back to phonebooks, if you want to stop getting them go to www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.com and you can opt out of getting white pages and/or yellow pages. I did this and I haven't received a phone book since!!! Okay, that was only last week but I will see how long it works.

Need more space?

After the long Thanksgiving weekend I know I could have used more space. More space on my plate, more space in my belly, and more space in my recycling cart. All the cans and bottles from food preparations and spirits couldn't fit in my first recycling cart, but my second recycling cart had plenty of room. Did you know you can get a second recycling too? E-mail me at dan.ruiz@brooklynpark.org and I can get you a second recycling cart or if you don't have room for a second cart you can get a larger cart. We have 3 sizes: 35, 64, or 96 gallon carts.