We all generate a lot of extra waste during the holidays what with gift wrap, packaging and all those cardboard boxes. This year my family cut some of the waste by reusing gift bags from last year and by trying to reduce holiday waste.
Some holiday items can be recycled. Did you know that the Ramsey county hazardous waste collection site will take burned out strings of lights? I managed to unload a few of those last year. You can also take your Christmas tree to one of 4 Ramsey county collection sites and drop it off for free.
If you have a fake tree that you don’t want anymore it can be donated to your local thrift shop. I donate my stuff to St. Vincent De Paul on West 7th street. They accept holiday decorations all year long, including strings of lights and tree stands and ornaments.
I ended up with a gift that just isn’t going to work out. I am going to regift it to someone I know who will appreciate it. I think that is alright because it will be appreciated and used.
In my household, we have a tradition of taking down most of the holiday decorations on January 1st to kind of ring in the new year. We leave lights up until the end of January because January can be a cold gloomy month.
