Post-holiday recycling do's, don'ts and ideas

The holiday season has drawn to a close and Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Joint Solid Waste District is offering information on how to recycle decorations, wrapping paper and trees. OSS has 41 drop-off sites throughout the three counties it serves, and people should know which items can be recycled and which ones can't. The same information is true for most any place people take their materials to be recycled, but check with individual recyclers for their requirements. OSS's "nice list" includes items that can be happily recycled including: Non-metallic wrapping paperJunk mailGift boxesClean pizza boxes without grease or food residuePaper gift bagsCardboard wrapping paper rollsTissue paperCardboard boxesPlastic bottles, tubs and jugsChristmas cards and envelopesAluminum cansSteel food cansNewspapers and insertsGlass bottles and jarsThe "naughty list" of items that should not be placed into recycling bins include: Aluminum foil, pie and roasting pansFoil wrapping paperFoam block packagingRibbons and bowsGift bags if they're coated, laminated or dyedSticky gift labelsNew this year is the "almost naughty" list, which includes items that should not be mixed with recyclables but can be dropped off at other locations or reused. They include: Plastic bags and film - See recycleplasticfilm.org or take them to a store accepting plastic bags and film for recyclingPlastic toys - donate for use by othersGift bags that are coated, laminated or dyed to be reusedWhipped topping and butter tubs to be reusedBubble wrap to be reusedPackaging peanuts to be reusedAlso, OSS suggests recycling holiday lights at Lowe's stores. Lights may be placed in designated bin near the service desk at the Tiffin store, 1025 W. Market St.; the Sandusky store, 5500 Milan Road, Sandusky; and the Fremont store, 1952 N. SR 53, Fremont. Christmas trees Live-cut Christmas trees have many benefits after the Christmas decorations have been removed. People who have used natural decorations can leave the tree outside of a window and watch as birds and other wildlife eat the decorations. The tree can provide valuable nutrients, plus shelter from winter weather. After the decorations have been consumed, pull off any strings and non-biodegradable materials and throw them away. Trees that have been decorated more traditionally should have decorations removed and save for next year. The bare tree can by dropped off at several locations for further use. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife says recycled, live-cut trees can create shelter for wildlife including fish, birds and small mammals. ODNR says recycled trees make great habitat for fish structure in public and private waterways. Trees can be bundled together and weighted down so they sink to the bottom. Many species are attracted to the newly-created habitat including crappie, bluegill and other panfish as well as largemouth bass and saugeye. In addition, trees can recycled into wildlife-friendly brush piles. Christmas trees can be placed in a desired location and limbs stacked around it in a square arrangement, layering more brush until a desired height is reached. Covering the top with additional brush creates a shelter for small animals. Songbirds, including northern cardinals, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches, travel in and out of brush piles for food, nesting and to escape predators. Small mammals, including cottontail rabbits and chipmunks, also use brush piles for shelter and raising young. Dead trees also can be used by aquatic life for cover in ponds. However, individuals should not discard their trees into a body of water or in a wooded area themselves unless they own the property. Instead, take a tree to one of the drop-off locations, and it will be used by people who want them. In Tiffin, trees may be taken to the Public Works building, (419) 448-5430, 601 Miami St., throughout January in the fenced area provided. They also may be taken to the Water Pollution Control Center, (419) 488-5440, 961 N. Water St., 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. seven days a week. Place trees along the fence by the brush pile on the west side of the facility. In Fostoria, drop off trees through mid-January at Fostoria Street Department, 1235 Perrysburg Road, Fostoria, (419) 435-4115. They also may be taken to Foundation Park city compost area. In Bloomville, place trees along the driveway at Ray & Janis Weasner's home, 19 S. Prospect St., Bloomville, (419) 983-4745. At Liberty Township house, 3983 W. TR 152, trees are accepted for the first two weeks of January, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., (419) 448-8655. A tree idea to keep in mind for next year is to create a zero-waste Christmas tree. OSS says "zero-waste Christmas trees are eco-friendly, benefit your local wildlife and are visually stunning to look at." Instead of an artificial tree or a live-cut tree, the option encourages people to plant a tree outside of a window that can be easily seen from inside. "There are plenty of ways to decorate it," according to information from OSS. One is stringing biodegradable garland, which is fun, smells good and is good for wildlife. Also, stringing items such as popcorn, cranberries and dried orange slices are fragrant, eye popping, and bird approved. OSS notes that using stale popcorn and fresh cranberries with waxed dental floss stringer makes the job easier. In addition, pinecones, poinsettias and dried citrus are good biodegradable ornaments that fit a festive theme. Visit the OSS website for other recycling information and events at www.recycleoss.org, check the Facebook page at Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Green Recycling Scene or follow @Aim2BGreen on Twitter. Call the district's main office at (419) 334-7222 or (888) 850-7224.