It's the most recyclable time of the year!

Gig Conaughton

County of San Diego Communications Office

It's the most – recyclable – time of the year!

Think about it. The holiday season brings all kinds of recyclable things into our homes, from wrapping paper and packages, to yes, even our Christmas trees if you're using a real one.

And these days, having blue bins for recyclable materials right at home, recycling is a snap. With that in mind and in keeping with the holiday spirit, the County's Department of Public Works would like to give everyone a gift - some handy recycling tips, what to recycle and what not to put into your blue bins!

Remember, don't take a holiday from recycling!

Christmas trees

If you have a real Christmas tree, you'll eventually have to bid it goodbye. The County urges you to recycle it the right way. Check with your waste hauler to find out if they offer curbside pickup; many do. You can also cut your real tree up and put it in your green organics bin or go to the County's recycling and hazardous waste database WastefreeSD.org to find Christmas tree drop-off sites near you. Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, tree stands (metal or plastic) and tinsel before recycling.

Real tree wreaths can also be recycled by placing them in your green organics bin. Leaving them lying in your backyard can turn them into fire hazards. Properly recycled trees and wreaths can be turned into mulch that will improve soil health and help soil retain moisture at our parks, farms, home gardens and landscapes.

Know what packaging can – and can't – be recycled

Gift-giving and online shopping typically means collecting lots of packaging. Not all packaging can be recycled. For example, cardboard boxes can be recycled; just break them down and put them into your recycling bin. And non-metallic wrapping paper can go into your blue bin. But other items can't – manila envelopes, padded plastic mailers and cushioning material, and traditional gift-wrapping materials including ribbons, bows, twine, tissue paper and cellophane. So please do not put them in your blue recycling bins; consider reusing them instead. To learn more about how to Recycle Right during the holidays and every day, go to http://www.countynewscenter.com/county-launches-recycle-right-campaign/.

Christmas and holiday card recycling

Like packaging materials, not all holiday cards should be added to your recycling bin. Simple paper cards and envelopes can be added to your blue bins. But cards that have glitter, foil, metallic inks (inks made with tiny metal flakes) or other adornments can't. If there's a glitzy front and plain paper backing, tear the cards in two. Recycle the backs and put the glitzy fronts into the trash.

Holiday light recycling

Please don't put old holiday lights in your recycling bins. They can tangle up recycling equipment and they also pose a danger to workers in those recycling centers. For recycling options, visit WasteFreeSD.org, or contact a scrap metal or e-waste recycler.

So there you have it. Remember, if you have other questions about what can and can't be recycled, go to http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/recycling.html or to http://www.facebook.com/CountyofSanDiegoRecycling/.