Springfield Environmental Services offering tips on holiday recycling, repurposing, creating less waste

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield Environmental Services is wishing residents a happy and green holiday with a new education initiative centered around sustainable holiday practices. 

“Green Holiday SGF” kicked off Dec. 1 with a series of daily social media posts featuring tips on a variety of sustainability topics to help residents consider recycling, repurposing and creating less waste throughout the holiday season.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period. That’s about 25 million tons of garbage or 1 million extra tons per week going to our landfills.

“Our busiest days at the landfill are easily the days following Christmas,” says Springfield Superintendent of Solid Waste Erick Roberts. “Our recycling centers also tend to slow down during the holidays. It’s a busy time for families, but it’s important to remind residents that it can be easy and even fun to recycle and repurpose your holiday materials.”

To view daily tips, residents can follow @SGFEnvironmentalServices on facebook or Instagram, or @SGFEnvironServi on Twitter. All resources can be found on the City’s website at http://www.springfieldmo.gov/estips.  For questions about recycling opportunities in Springfield, call the recycling hotline at 417-864-1904.

SEASONAL RECYCLING RESOURCES: 

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 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the winter season (Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 31):

• Paper - Wrapping paper, 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 drink containers from your holiday parties. Yes, we’ll even take those red plastic cups! Please rinse out first.
• Plastic and metal food containers from your holiday meal prep. Must be rinsed and free of food. No need to remove lids or labels. No plastic bags please!

Holiday Lights

As residents begin to haul out the holly, they may notice a string of lights or two that no longer work. Holiday lighting can be recycled at the following locations:

AAA Certified Computer Recycling Center
528 N. Prince Lane  -  417-866-2588
Fee:  None

Computer Electronics Recycling
2935 W. Chestnut Expy  -  417-864-4415
Fee: None

All Metal Recycling
3340 W. Division  -  417-862-0011
Fee: None (Pay 10 cents/lb.)

Commercial Metals Company
634 E. Phelps  -  417-862-0548
Fee: None (Pay 10 cents /lb.)

Artificial Trees & Holiday Decor

Artifical trees and holiday decor in usable condition are accepted for free at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2410 S. Scenic Ave.) and many local thrift stores. Call ahead to confirm need prior to arriving. Trees in poor condition may be disposed at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill.

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 most large retail and supermarket locations. Many thrift stores will also accept clean plastic bags.

Shipping & Packing Materials

Styrofoam peanuts and sheets are accepted at AAA Certified Computer Recycling Center (852 N. Prince Lane) for $5 per load.

Bubble wrap and air packs may be returned along with your plastic shopping bags to any major retailer and supermarket that accepts them. Just remember to pop before recycling to save space.

You can also check with local packing and shipping businesses who may accept reusable packing materials.

Live Christmas Trees

The season is only beginning, but residents should keep in mind that live Christmas trees are not accepted at Missouri landfills.

The City’s Yardwaste Recycling Center will accept live trees for no charge Dec. 26, 2018 - Jan. 31, 2019, otherwise, the $5 gate fee will apply. Please remove all decorations and tree stands.