The South Brunswick Recycling Division is encouraging residents to have a “green holiday” by purchasing “low waste” gifts such as gift certificates, tickets to sporting events, concerts, plays or movies, giving the gift of time, having a favorite item repaired rather than replaced, and buying inexpensive dresses, shoes or jewelry from a local thrift store as a gift to children who want to play dress up.
Gifts that reduce waste throughout the year include a compost bin, non-disposable razors, rechargeable batteries, and mugs or cups that can replace disposals at parties.
Instead of using new wrapping paper, road maps, blueprints, Sunday comics, magazines and brown shopping bags can be reused for an attractive wrap. Wrapping gifts with dishtowels, pillowcases, tablecloths or scarves can add interest.
If you use traditional wrapping paper, try to buy paper that has recycled content. After the holiday, the paper can be recycled. Try to avoid foil papers that cannot be recycled.
Boxes without wire or cellophane are recyclable by flattening them and placing them in a larger box, tying them together or placing them in a brown paper bag.
Ribbons, bows and boxes can be saved for another gift.
Overflow of recyclable materials can be brought to the recycling center behind the municipal complex on Ridge Road 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Before recycling catalogues received at holiday time, call the toll-free number of the ones not wanted and ask to be removed from the company’s mailing list.
The Department of Public Works will collect Christmas trees through Jan. 15. The stand and all decorations, ornaments and tinsel must be removed, and then the tree can be placed at the curb of singlefamily homes or outside the dumpster enclosure of multifamily homes.