Recycle Lady: Gift Wrapping and Flower Boxes

Dear Recycle Lady,

The box that my Amaryllis Christmas flower came in seems to be made of shiny cardboard. Can it be recycled? Love the Flower

Dear Love the Flower,

Yes, shiny cardboard can be recycled with regular cardboard. Many other products come in shiny boxes, such as toothpaste, cosmetics, OTC supplements, and some frozen foods. If the box has a lining or is waxed, it can’t be recycled. If you think a box might be waxed – for example a milk carton box – run your fingernail down the side of it. If wax comes off, it is not recyclable.

Dear Recycle Lady,

A couple of weeks ago you mentioned alternatives to using holiday wrapping paper. I have some more ideas that are friendly to the environment. Newspaper comics, especially the Sunday colored ones, are recyclable and can be used to wrap gifts. Decorative tin boxes that candy or cookies come in, cloth drawstring bags, gift bags, decorative baskets, and reusable shopping bags all make great, eco-friendly packaging. A gift of homemade cookies or other food can be put in an attractive metal box that the recipient might refill with goodies before returning it to you! Creative Santa

Dear Creative Santa,

Good to hear from you again. Thanks for your many ideas for alternatives to using non-recyclable wrapping paper. They are all definitely better for the environment than ordinary wrapping paper. Also, there are commercially available biodegradable nonrecyclable wrapping papers, or hemp-blend papers that are an excellent alternative to wrapping paper. If you are looking for some new ways to package gifts, the website https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/g1053/gift-wrapping-ideas/ has some very creative ideas.

Dear Readers,

Hurrah for recyclers in the Greenbrier Valley! You have made a big positive impact on our environment. According to the monthly recycling report given to the Solid Waste Board, more than 77 TONS of recyclables were collected at the Recycling Center in October. The largest number of recyclables was cardboard at 44 tons, followed by 22 tons of cans, eight tons of scrap metal and three tons of electronics. What an accomplishment! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who recycles. Please consider recycling for your New Year’s resolution and join us in our efforts to improve our environment, provide recyclable materials to be made into other products, and lessen the 3,600 tons of trash that go into our local landfill monthly.

Bad/Good News: Plastic cutting boards release microplastics into your food and can dull your knives. Instead, use your plastic cutting board as a surface protector for crafts and purchase a wooden or bamboo board. Greenbrier County has a talented craftsman who sells beautiful handmade cutting boards at the local Farmer’s Market. The boards are made of cherry, maple, walnut or a combination of several woods.

Have questions about recycling or interesting information about recycling? Send questions or requests to recyclelady@greenbrier-swa.com. Dear Recycle Lady is sponsored jointly by the Greenbrier Recycling Center and Greenworks Recycling.