Post-Holiday Clean Up in the woodlands
The whirlwind of the holidays are over, phew, but now it’s time to get back to ‘normal’. Your Christmas tree is put away, and all the trimmings in their boxes, but maybe, just maybe you have some decorations that you are ready to pass on to someone else to enjoy, a tree to recycle, boxes and papers to dispose of. The question is what to do with it all.
Photo: Courtesy of The Woodlands Township
WRAPPING PAPER
If you are anything like the rest of us you will be inundated with torn, rumpled, and balled-up gift wrap. Every year the same question is asked, “Is this recyclable?” The Woodlands Township has a great online guide to make sure that recycling goes smoothly and that the correct things get put in those bins! Some of the non-recyclables came as a surprise to us. Did you know that textured and embossed paper can’t be recycled? Rule of thumb if you can crush the paper into a ball and it stays crunched up, it is most likely recyclable.
WHAT TO DO WITH EXTRA TRASH
Even after recycling you will likely still have some extra trash. Did you know that if you fill your trash bin you can still put out your extra trash? Thank goodness you don’t have to keep it for the next week! If you have extra bags simply place them next to your bins on the curb, each bag must have a pink extra service tag on it. Where do you get those you may ask (we didn’t know this either until recently!) You can purchase them from The Woodlands Township office or Kroger (Cochran’s Crossing, Alden Bridge, and Sterling Ridge). Make sure it’s not too heavy, it can’t weigh more than 40 pounds.
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING
Real Christmas trees are a beautiful tradition and they make your house smell wonderful! But Christmas is over and you are left with a dried out, pines falling off mess in your house. What do you do with it? It’s important to know that trees need to be unflocked, clear of all decorations and lights and the stand needs to be removed for it to be picked up by Waste Management. Place your tree on your curb on your regular service day, or they can be dropped off at the Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, These trees will be recycled for flooring at Texas TreeVentures. If your tree is flocked you will have to call Waste Management (800-800-5804) for bulk pickup, make sure you call at least two days before your regular service day.
ORGANIZE AND DONATE
Now you’ve taken down all your decorations, it’s a great time to go through everything and donate what you don’t want or won’t use next year. Donating them now means that you don’t have to store them for another year. There are many different ways to donate these items. Many senior living residences and nursing homes decorate for the holidays and would love to have fresh new ornaments. Salvation Army, Interfaith’s Hand Me Up Shop, and Goodwill are just a few of the places that you can donate to.