We've made a list, and we're checking it twice... a recycling list, that is! This season brings yet another yearly influx of non-recyclable holiday items to the RRRASOC Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). While mass shopping, over-consumption, and increased waste production are often to blame for this issue, these habits can be turned into waste-saving, eco-conscious decisions (did we mention this can save you time, energy, and money?). Read on to learn how some holiday items on our list can be handled at curbside or at a RRRASOC Recycling Drop-Off location.

Cardboard

Cardboard can be placed with your recycling, whether it's a box (flatten it to save room) or paperboard.

Wrapping Paper

This is recyclable as long as it does not contain glitter or foil. Try wrapping presents in newspaper or plain brown craft paper, which is always recyclable.

Disposable Dinnerware

Because most single-use dinnerware items are not recyclable due to size, coatings, etc., we suggest you switch to reusable plates, cups, and cutlery!

Holiday Lights

These can get tangled in the sorting machinery at the MRF, so they are not accepted in your recycling. Check locally for holiday light recycling drop-off locations or bring them to a 2024 HHW Collection Event.

Batteries

These do not go with your recycling, but home improvement stores normally offer collection bins for rechargeable batteries. Our 2024 HHW Collection Events will also be accepting batteries for proper disposal.

Receipts

Glossy, thermal paper receipts are not recyclable because they have a coating to make them durable. They can be placed in your trash.

Greeting Cards

As long as they do not contain glitter, foil, or other non-paper accessories, your greeting cards are recyclable.

Tinsel & Ornaments

These are not recyclable, but they can be donated to another family member, your local charity, or a secondhand store to be reused.

Holiday Trees

It depends on the type of tree - real or artificial? Check your city's sanitation page for information on curbside live tree collection. Artificial trees can be reused or donated.

For instructions on how to dispose of other common (or uncommon) holiday items, check out the Recycling Directory at RRRASOC.org. From there, you can search any item, view the event calendar, and so much more!

Plastic film makes up a lot of common, everyday single-use items, such as plastic grocery bags, cling wrap, water bottle cases, bread and newspaper bags, plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, and shipping air packets.

Plastic bags and film are not accepted in curbside recycling or at the recycling drop-off sites in RRRASOC member communities. Plastic bags, wrap, and film can become tangled in the sorting machinery, leading to costly fixes and jams that slow output and production.

Luckily, there is something you can do to properly dispose of your plastic film: you can check your local grocery or retail store to see if they accept plastic bags, wrap, and film. Look for collection bins near the entrance or service area, where it will be collected and distributed to the right outlets who can reuse this type of material.

Do you store your recyclables in a plastic bag? Be sure to empty them into the bins at the Southfield and Novi drop-off sites so that the materials remain loose - then, keep the bag and reuse it!

Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on a Monday this season, which means your curbside trash and recycling services will be delayed by one day in their respective weeks. Residents whose curbside collection normally occurs on Monday will have theirs on Tuesday, and so on.

We look forward to servicing you in the new year!

During the following HHW Collection Events, all residents of RRRASOC member communities are welcome to bring household hazardous waste for an opportunity to safely discard their hazardous items and e-waste. Simple Recycling and paper shredding services will also be available*.

April 13, 2024 👕

Wixom Dept. of Public Works

2041 Charms Rd., Wixom

9:00am - 2:00pm

April 20, 2024 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

May 4, 2024

Oakland Community College

Orchard Ridge Campus Lot 8

27055 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills

May 18, 2024 👕

Milford Civic Center

1100 Atlantic St., Milford

Enter from West, off Mont Eagle St.

July 13, 2024 👕

Wixom Dept. of Public Works

2041 Charms Rd., Wixom

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 5, 2024

Novi Dept. of Public Works

26300 Lee BeGole Dr., Novi

9:00am - 2:00pm

October 26, 2024 👕

RRRASOC MRF - Truck Entrance

20875 Mapleridge Ave., Southfield

9:00am - 2:00pm

*The T-shirt icon indicates an HHW Collection Event during which clothing, shoes, accessories, and small household items will be accepted by Simple Recycling.

For more information about HHW events and how to prepare your items, please visit our HHW page.

If you have HHW that you'd like to properly dispose of between collection events, you're in luck! Drop off your HHW without a fee at ERG Environmental Services during the following hours:

Monday - Friday:

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Not sure what to do with stuff?

Visit rrrasoc.org and use the Recycling Directory search bar to type in keywords and get recycling, composting, reuse or disposal instructions.

The searchable, intuitive format of the Recycling Directory provides RRRASOC specific information.

Also Available:

Mobile App

• From your App Store or Google Play, search for "Recycling Authority"

Want more tips, tricks, and updates about recycling? We have a Facebook page where we can reach each other to make recycling easier. You can also reach us via RRRASOC.org and email at education@rrrasoc.org!

RRRASOC - Recycling Authority | 248-208-2270 | rrrasoc.org