GREENE COUNTY — Do you see those big piles of boxes in your living room every Christmas morning?
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As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, one county is promoting its list of practices for any trash you may have during the Christmas holidays.
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News Center 7′s Mason Fletcher says the highlights of our holidays come from what’s inside these boxes. But once it’s opened and empty, what you do with that box is just as important.
“We’re going to see a lot of cardboard that can’t necessarily fit into their normal weekly service. We’re here to accept that cardboard,” said Dana Doll, Manager of Greene County Environmental Services.
Cardboard is just one of the four main priorities for Greene County Environmental Services.
Doll told Fletcher the other three were string lights, lithium batteries, and live Christmas trees.
“Bring that whole Christmas tree to us. We’re going to recycle it into mulch, and you can come back and get that and put it on your lawn and landscape,” she said.
Doll added that those who participate positively impact the whole state.
“Residents that participate in this contribute directly to the economy of the state of Ohio. This is a $1 billion industry,” she said.
Fletcher reports the county partners with Rumpke for their collection. Molly Kennedy said the two biggest issues during the holidays are string lights and lithium batteries.
The wire from the string lights will clog their detangler and delay their work.
The batteries may cause a bigger issue.
“If a battery gets compacted and explodes, it’s sitting in paper and cardboard and plastic things that can be lit on fire immediately,” said Kennedy.
She told Fletcher it happened at a facility a few months ago.
Kennedy says any customers with too much material to fit in their recycling bin, don’t just leave it on the curb.
“Call the customer service line and be like, Hey, guys, I’ve got seven boxes. I have all this material, I can’t fit in. Where should I take it?” she explained.
Police tell Fletcher that breaking down big boxes can be a safeguard for your house.
It usually shows what used to be inside, like a TV box.
Visit this website for more information.
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