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Community Corner

(UPDATE) Putting a Wrap on Holiday Decorations

Here are hints for what to do with your Christmas tree, lights and wrapping paper, if you haven't yet taken down your holiday decor.

Now that the holiday season is over, it’s time to think about putting away decorations ... if you already haven’t done so.

Take a drive around Inver Grove Heights, and you’ll still find plenty of homes with Christmas trees prominently displayed in their picture windows and decorations in the yard.

But considering the late date—today is Jan. 7—and the current mild weather, it’s a safe bet that lots of lights, garland and the sort will be taken down this weekend.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Typically, residents do a good job in following guidelines to dispose of their Christmas cheer, said Inver Grove’s assistant city administrator, Jenelle Teppen. She said street department personnel have indicated to her they usually don’t see an increase in illegal dumping due to holiday decorations.

Whether you still need to dispose of a natural Christmas tree, get rid of inefficient or broken lights or throw away used wrapping paper, Patch has some hints for you.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

LIGHTS

On its website, the City of Inver Grove Heights suggests recycling Christmas lights either at the Recycling Zone or through the Recycle Your Holidays lights program administered by the Recycling Association of Minnesota.

The Recycling Zone in Eagan is operated by Dakota County and provides a place for residents to dispose of a variety of items ranging from fluorescent light bulbs to plastic bags. For more information about the Recycling Zone, click here.

Now through the end of January, those of us wanting to rid ourselves of old lights can take them to any of 433 locations throughout the state taking part in Recycle Your Holidays.

“This program employs over 200 individuals with developmental disabilities at vocational centers throughout the state of Minnesota,” said the Recycling Association of Minnesota website. “Every bulb of the light strand is dismantled by vocational center clients and then properly recycled in Minnesota.”

Two businesses in Inver Grove Heights—Ace Hardware and Paint, 3098 65th St. E., and Gertens Greenhouse, 5500 Blaine Ave.—are accepting lights.

For more information about Recycle Your Holidays, click here.

TREES AND WREATHS

For real Christmas trees and wreaths, the Inver Grove Heights city website suggests residents contact their garbage haulers for details about pick-up services.

A list of the city’s license trash haulers can be accessed by clicking here.

Residents also can drop their real trees and wreaths at nearby compost sites. Visit the city’s website by clicking here for locations.

Trees and wreaths to be picked up or composted must be bare, the city’s website says. No lights, ornaments or wired allowed.

For those of us with artificial trees and wreaths than can’t be reused, they can be placed in the garage, the city website says.

WRAPPING PAPER

Wrapping paper, tissue paper and gift bags aren't recyclable, according to Dakota County's website, and should go in the garbage.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Apple Valley Patch Editor contributed to this post.

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