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The city of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to embrace a more sustainable holiday season by reducing waste, reusing items and recycling holiday materials.

The average Minnesotan throws away an extra 1.5 pounds of waste per day during the holidays.

“The holidays are a time for celebration and giving, but they also generate a lot of waste,” said Mark Goskeson, solid waste manager for Freeborn County. “By reusing and recycling holiday materials, we can help sustain our resources for future generations.”

Below are ideas for small choices on an individual basis that can add up to a big impact on an aggregate basis.

 Reduce waste

• Cut down on food waste — and waistlines — by planning smaller portions.
• Instead of giving material items, consider gift cards, memberships, event tickets, trips or other experiences.
• Instead of disposable tableware at gatherings, use cloth napkins, actual silverware and reusable dishes.

Give old materials new life

• Repurpose wrapping paper scraps as gift tags or homemade ornaments.
• Transform cardboard boxes into festive toy houses or storage containers.
• Give gently used holiday decorations a new home through donations.
• Instead of purchasing wrapping paper, re-use paper sacks, outdated maps, magazine pages and other materials to wrap gifts.
• Skip the ribbons and bows, or use scraps of yarn, shoelaces and other material to decorate gifts.

Recycle right

• Place clean, simple wrapping paper (no foil or lamination) and cardboard boxes (minus cellophane) in your recycling cart.
• Rinse out food containers before adding them to your recycling cart.
• Holiday cards without glitter or foil can be recycled too.

Remember some items require special handling

• Gift bags, ribbons and bows: Save these for future celebrations.
• Batteries and holiday lights: Recycle them for free or at Freeborn County Environmental Services, 2020 Pioneer Trail.
• Electronics: Recycle at Freeborn County Environmental Services; some fees may apply.
• Unwanted toys in good condition: Donate them to local nonprofits, churches or schools.
• Foam packaging and cellophane wrap: Place in the trash.

Live Christmas trees

• The city of Albert Lea offers free disposal of live trees in January with drop-offs at Frank Hall Park and the Transfer Station, 2506 W. Richway Drive.
• Watch for information on the city’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cityofalbertlea) or sign up for the free Week-Lea e-newsletter at cityofalbertlea.org/sign-up-for-enews.

County recycling programs

• Freeborn County Environmental Services offers recycling programs, including residential single-stream recycling carts, electronics recycling, and free household hazardous waste disposal.
• For more information about recycling, call 507-377-5186 or visit the county website at www.co.freeborn.mn.us/132/Environmental-Services.

City transfer station

For items that cannot be recycled or reused, the Transfer Station, 2506 W. Richway Drive, offers disposal for various fees. Winter hours are:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

For more information about the transfer station, call 507-377-4325 or visit cityofalbertlea.org/transfer-station.