As we prepare for the New Year, the City of Brooklyn Park reminds residents of the upcoming recycling schedule and proper disposal protocols for the holidays. According to the city's announcement, Monday and Tuesday residents should roll out their recycling carts on their regular days, December 30-31. However, those in the Wednesday to Friday zones will experience a one-day delay due to the season's festivities.
When cleaning up after your holiday celebrations, be aware that wrapping paper is not recyclable and should be placed in the trash. Cardboard boxes should be flattened and, if necessary, taped into bundles not to exceed dimensions of 4' x 4' x 6' before being set out next to recycling carts. The city urges residents to have their carts at the curb by 6:30 a.m., crews will have until 6:00 p.m. to finish collection. A crucial tip to ensure smooth service is to place the cart at least three feet away from any objects, such as mailboxes or other carts, with the handle facing away from the street, and never in it.
Loose material in recycling carts is the standard, bags are a no-go. According to the city's guidelines, plastic bags found in the recycling cart are discarded at the sorting facility without being opened. Also, the material stored in paper bags risks becoming trapped inside during compaction in the truck, ultimately leading to separation challenges at the sorting facility.
In addition to regular recycling, citizens should note the upcoming collection of holiday trees and lights. The city's garbage haulers schedule tree pickups in the coming weeks, and residents are encouraged to consult their website for specific details. For those with burned-out holiday string lights, they can be taken to the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility, located at 8100 Jefferson Highway, as these should not be included in your recycling cart. Lights, cords, cables, and plastic bags are particularly troublesome as they can get entangled in the machinery at the sorting facility, requiring manual removal, only to be discarded afterward.
During this season of renewal, let's take a step towards sustainability by following these simple yet crucial waste management practices. More information and updates can be found on the City of Brooklyn Park website.
