Cleaning Up After Christmas: Recycling And Trash Tips

Now that gifts are unwrapped and toys are unboxed, it’s time to clean up.

Our local trash and recycling collectors are working overtime.

Waste experts KSL TV spoke to are asking everyone to take an extra 30 seconds to think, sort, and break down what we no longer want,  so we don’t slow them down.

“So I want you to imagine if you’re one of our drivers and you have between 700 and 1,000 homes that you need to pick up on your day and it’s snowing,” said Jeffrey Summerhays with Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District. “Maybe about half those homes have overflowing trash and that trash falls out and then you have to get out of the truck and chuck it up and pick up that stuff from the ground.”

Here’s how you can help. Wipe snow off your lids, break down boxes, and don’t let your bins overflow. Summerhays suggests saving some trash for next week’s pickup.

With New Year’s parties around the corner, remember these recycling rules, “At the end of the day, it’s water bottles, aluminum cans, cardboards, and plastics,” said Blake Leonelli with Waste Management. “Don’t put your recyclables in a plastic container.”

Ordering pizza? Recycle the top of the box. Dump the soggy side.

Summerhays also reminds folks that shiny wrapping paper cannot be recycled.

What to do with your dying Christmas tree?

While Riverton has three drop-off locations, some cities have curb pickup.

“Please make sure it doesn’t look like landscaping and please make sure it’s obvious to pick up and please don’t block the trash can or the recycling can,” said Summerhays.

Make sure to check with your city about Christmas tree removal and for holiday pickup delays too.

Simple tips to cruise our way into a cleaner and merrier 2019.