Mpelembe :: We're Dreaming of a Green Christmas

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday season upon us, the Philadelphia Recycling Office would like to offer citizens some recycling tips on how they can make this a Green Christmas! There are a number of opportunities to incorporate recycling into the holiday season. As residents typically generate more waste during the holiday season, the City's Streets Department sees a dramatic increase in trash throughout the city.

"Although we think of the holidays as a time of year filled with grand celebrations and over-indulgence, we need to remember to protect our planet, to conserve, and use our natural resources in moderation," said Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Clarena I. W. Tolson.

"In an effort to encourage citizens to be more mindful of how they can include recycling in their holiday activities, the Philadelphia Streets Department will be giving out free holiday gift wrap throughout the city over the next two weeks, and educating citizens about holiday items they may not be aware are recyclable."

The City of Philadelphia Recycling Office offers the following suggestions to ensure Philadelphians celebrate a Green Christmas this holiday season and year-round. Citizens are reminded of the three "Rs" as a convenient way to practice recycling. All three "Rs" are equally important to the environment.

Recycle

- Wrapping paper, tissue paper and gift tags by tying them up or placing

in a brown paper bag for set-out.

- Glass wine and champagne bottles by rinsing them out, and placing them

in your recycling container. You don't need a blue bin - any sturdy

metal or plastic container will do, up to 20 gallons.

- Other items that can be recycled include soda and beer cans, paper

grocery bags, department store sale flyers and catalogs, telephone

books and calendars, and New Year's Eve paper confetti and ticker tape.

Reuse

- Newspaper (It makes great wrapping paper, especially the colorful comic

section)

- Ribbon and bows

- Plastic gift cards

- Plastic grocery bags

- Gift bags

Reduce

- Waste that reaches our landfills

- Using less tissue paper and decorations in your packaging

- Using less wrapping paper when wrapping your gifts

On Friday, December 16, the Philadelphia Streets Department began distributing free wrapping paper and providing recycling tips that can be utilized during the holiday season and throughout the year. Philadelphians can receive their free recycled wrapping paper at:

- Cheltenham Square Mall

- Franklin Mills Mall

- SEPTA location at 8th & Market

- SEPTA location at 69th Street

- ShopRite Supermarket (Island Avenue)

- ShopRite Supermarket (Cheltenham)

For more information regarding recycling, please contact the Philadelphia Recycling Office by calling the hotline at 215.685.RECYCLE or by visiting http://www.recyclingPAYS.phila.gov. SOURCE City of Philadelphia Recycling Office

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