Local residents may recycle holiday lights, greeting cards, packaging and more
DAVENPORT, IA?Household waste in the United States increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, creating an extra one million tons of garbage each week. The good news? Locally, much of this waste may be recycled!
Scott County residents may recycle many holiday items through curbside and drop-off recycling programs. Items that may be recycled include boxes from electronics, toys, shoes and shirts; wrapping paper tubes; gift/shopping bags made of paper; tissue paper; greeting cards and envelopes (even photo cards); newspapers, advertisements, magazines and catalogs; #1 and #2 plastics; glass food and beverage containers; steel cans; popcorn and cookie tins; and aluminum cans and pie plates.
Strands of holiday lights also are being accepted. These lights?along with computers, monitors, televisions, printers, digital cameras and video game systems?are considered electronic waste, or e-waste. These items may be dropped off for recycling from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th St., Davenport. There is no charge to residents from Scott and Rock Island counties. However, fees apply for e-waste from businesses. Call (563) 823-0119 for more information.
The cities of Bettendorf and Davenport collect large e-waste items (but not holiday lights) at the curb from residents on their bulky waste/recycling days and deliver them to the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility for recycling.
Residents should be aware that not all holiday waste may be recycled. Items such as wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, Styrofoam, plastic film and artificial Christmas trees are considered contaminants to the recycling process and should not be placed in curbside or drop-off recycling containers.
For more information about holiday recycling, call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.
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