After you tear open presents on Christmas morning, stop and think before cleaning up the mess. That's the message from local waste management agencies, who are urging people to recycle during the holiday season.
Kurt Liske, from the Waste Commission of Scott County, says there's usually a fifteen percent increase in recyclable materials collected by the Commission this time of year, but it could be more.
He says some items you can recycle are flattened cardboard boxes, empty wrapping paper tubes, greeting cards without foil, tissue paper, and plastic food and beverage containers.
But, there are some holiday items that cannot be recycled.
Liske says other items that can't be recycled are Styrofoam, gift bows and ribbons, and glass containers. Also, artificial Christmas trees are not recyclable, but used artificial trees can be donated to Habitat for Humanity, for its Restore in the Quad Cities.
The Waste Commission of Scott County also wants to remind residents that it will recycle left over and used cooking oil for free. And, used or broken Christmas lights and electronics can be taken to the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility in Davenport.