It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. During the holiday season the Bartholomew County Recycling Center at 720 S. Mapleton St., Columbus, will accept wrapping paper, Christmas lights and live Christmas trees from Dec. 27 through Jan. 14.
Some restrictions apply:
Wrapping paper: No ribbons, bows or foil/shiny paper
Christmas lights: Strand lighting only
Christmas trees: Live trees only with lights, decorations and stands removed. (Bring trees to the yard waste site adjacent to the Recycling Center.)
Holiday closings
The Bartholomew County Landfill will close at 1 p.m. Dec. 24. The landfill will be closed Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas, and Jan. 2 in observance of New Year’s Day.The recycling center will be closed Dec. 24 and 26 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will be observed Dec. 31 and Jan. 2.
The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management Office will be closed Dec. 23 and 26 in observance of Christmas. New Year’s Day will be observed Dec. 30 and Jan. 2.
Go green
Here are some tips on how to go “green” and be more environmentally friendly this holiday season:Use low-energy LED lights. This could save you up to 80 percent in energy costs.
Use natural materials found around your home for decorating: evergreen prunings and pine cones.
Recycle old electronics.
Donate gently-used clothing and toys after they have been replaced by new gifts.
Reuse gift boxes from other occasions for gift wrapping.
Wrap your gifts in reused material such as newspaper or fabric pieces.
Think useful. Give unique gifts that will be utilized by the recipient versus giving a gift someone may never really use.
Give gift cards. Less packaging and the recipient is sure to get exactly what they want.
Use cloth napkins and hardware versus disposable items to generate less waste.
Have a healthy, sustainable holiday.
