Pointers on recycling the holiday season's remains

December 26, 2003

Deck the Halls with Less Waste This Year. It is estimated by the California Integrated Waste Management Board that between Thanksgiving and the New Year an extra million tons of waste are generated nationwide each week. In fact, 38,000 miles of ribbon alone is thrown out each year -- enough to tie a bow around the Earth.

So if you are looking for your way to help curb waste this year, here are a few tips. First and foremost, if you purchased a real tree this year, instead of throwing it away or burning it in your back yard or fireplace, why not recycle it and help out your local Boy Scout Troop. Troops 152, 297 and 298 are hosting a roadside pickup from your curb.

What could be easier? Simply call the Boy Scouts at 513-2636 and they will come pick up your tree starting tomorrow until Jan. 12. A suggested donation of $5 is all it takes and will be greatly appreciated. All funds collected will go towards Oakley Boy Scouts. Make checks payable to BSA and send to 3029 Frandoras Circle, Oakley, CA 94561.

One of the primary reasons for this project is to help eliminate the dangers associated with keeping dried-out Christmas trees around residences and businesses. 

Fire department officials remind residents not to burn their trees unless they have the proper permits, and when the needles are falling off, it's time to get rid of it.

The Boy Scout project will provide the Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs with funding for camping trips, Scouting events regionally, and annual summer camps. 

Remember to remove all decorations, including lights, tinsel, garland, nailed-on bases, etc. Flocked trees, wreathes and other vegetation are not accepted. If you have any questions about whether your tree will be accepted call the number above.

Remember, it is very important not to burn trees in your fireplace or wood stove. They are a fire hazard.

The Boy Scout Tree Recycling Project plays an important role in keeping trees out of the landfill. Most trees are chipped and burned as a fuel source in industrial furnaces. Trees also can be chipped and turned into compost or mulch for landscaping.

As always during the holiday season, the Oakley Disposal Company will be picking up garbage a day later, so if your delivery is picked up on Thursdays, don't expect a pickup until Friday and so on. Now that can be a problem with so much garbage from wrapping papers, extra boxes and food packages. So here are a few more tips for keeping the garbage down.

There are usually lots of cardboard boxes during the holiday, according to Keith Nance from Oakley Disposal. Most can be recycled. For corrugated boxes Nance asks that you break the boxes into flats no bigger than your blue recycling box. Most of the pieces can be put into the box. If you have extra, Nance said to tie it up and place it with your regular garbage. Cardboard is recycled every week. If you are going to have a lot of cardboard, try to give the garbage company a call first, at 757-7660, to let them know what you have so they can be prepared.

Keep in mind that most gifts boxes can be flattened and reused throughout the year for other items.

Remember also to use caution before throwing away wrapping paper items. Check to make sure toy or game parts have not been accidentally dropped in the bag. Keep all paper and ribbon that can be saved for next year. Put this year's Christmas cards away to cut up and use as gift tags for next year's gifts.

If you get a lot of packages in the mail with those little foam peanuts, put them into a plastic bag and bring them over to The UPS Store in the Raley's Shopping Center for recycling. Like they say, Make Earth Day everyday, especially during the biggest garbage time of the year.

Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.

Distributed by the Contra Costa Times

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