With the holiday season in full swing, residents of Hillsborough County are being reminded to conscientiously sort their waste to ensure a greener, cleaner celebration. An announcement from the county highlighted a range of commonly discarded holiday items that are perfect for the blue recycling cart, including plastic bottles and containers, aluminum, tin, and steel cans, various carton types, all forms of paper that tear easily, flattened cardboard boxes, paperboard food boxes, and glass bottles and jars. All recycled materials should be "clean, empty, and dry before going in the blue recycling cart," advised Hillsborough County's recent statement.
It's important to remember that some festive items should not find their way into your blue cart. Plastic bags, electronics, batteries, disposable plastic utensils, and Styrofoam are a no-go for the recycling cart. Yet, plastic bags and Styrofoam can often be correctly disposed of in special bins found at local supermarkets. When dealing with oversized boxes or an abundance of recyclables, residents can drop these off at designated community collection centers throughout the county. In an effort to efficiently manage these additional holiday recyclables, the county has made these centers conveniently accessible Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., though they will be closed on major holidays.
The article also noted that "there is no collection on Christmas Day," but regular services resume the days adjacent. For New Year's, the focus is solely on recycling and yard waste, as garbage will not be picked up. Detailed schedules and tips can easily be found on the County's official website, ensuring residents can plan effectively around the holiday disruptions.
While the holiday spirit may beckon us to give generously and celebrate abundantly, it's clear that incorporating responsible recycling practices is one way to significantly alleviate the burden on our environment during this typically wasteful season. With a little extra effort to sort the recyclable from the non-recyclable, every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the broader health of our community and planet. This responsibility is not exclusive to individuals, however, as the community collection centers and local supermarkets are playing a key role by facilitating the process of proper disposal. By offering a range of recycling options, these facilities are helping to make it possible for everyone to more accurately separate their waste, even amidst the busiest times of the year.
