In last year’s column for December I started out with the following: So far…as of Dec. 16…we’ve had very little winter-like weather. Well, for this year until Dec. 10 we had very little winter-like weather.  We had that wet snow on Nov. 19, but it didn’t stick around long and then last week there were those couple of days when the wind made it feel like we were in a freezer.  This past weekend we got a pretty good snowfall and from what the forecast says we better bundle up over the next few days. Of course, this is Minnesota and Minnesotans don’t whimper and whine about cold weather, right? By the way, I’m not speaking for myself — cold weather or hot weather I whimper and whine.

OK…now that I’m done with the weather report let’s switch over to our year-end recycling review.

Examples of acceptable/unacceptable materials:

*Aluminum — pop/beer cans; pie pans/trays. NO scrap metal; cookware.  *Tin/steel cans. No need to remove labels.   NO: screw-on lids, aerosol cans, paint cans, scrap metal, hangers, cookware, etc. *Glass bottles/jars from food & beverages. Remove and discard caps. No need to remove labels.  NO: dishes/cups/bowls, mirrors, windows, light bulbs, ceramics, vases, etc. *Plastic containers — bottles/jugs/containers marked with the recycling symbol. Remove and discard caps, covers, lids. No need to remove labels. Plastic bags such as shopping bags and dry cleaning bags are acceptable. However, please make sure they are empty/clean and place them into a similar type bag and knot it shut. NO: Styrofoam; hoses/pipes; tubing; foam, plastic or paper to-go containers; containers that held hazardous materials. NOTE — all cans, bottles/jars and plastic containers must be empty of liquid and food waste. *Newspaper & home/office paper — dry and clean.  Magazines and catalogs; computer/copy paper; envelopes; carbon paper. Shredded paper should be placed in a clear bag and knotted shut. NO: wet/dirty paper; food wrappers; waxed paper; bubble-wrap type/plastic lined envelopes; NO wrapping paper/gift wrap. *Cardboard & paper grocery bags — break down and flatten cardboard boxes. NO: wet or dirty cardboard or paper bags. *Paperboard packaging — cereal, cracker, macaroni, cake boxes. Remove and discard any liners, cellophane, plastic. Empty cartons such as from milk, juice, broth are acceptable. Drain, remove and discard any caps and straws. NO: ice cream cartons, margarine boxes, pizza cartons, pop/beer cartons. *Please do NOT put any medical-type waste, e.g. sharps, tubing, etc. in recycling carts or in the containers at drop-off locations.

*For curbside pick-up please keep 3′ between recycling cart, garbage cart, mailbox or other objects to allow for efficient collection. *Do not place recyclables (with the exception of shredded paper or acceptable plastic bags) in bags. Recyclables can be mixed together in recycling carts/containers at drop-off locations.

Remember that this isn’t an all-inclusive list so give us a call or visit the website for more details.

A Merry and blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Until next time, keep reducing, reusing, recycling and buying recycled! For info or if your club is interested in a presentation (free) regarding recycling/waste reduction and hazardous waste disposal, call the Lyon County Environmental Office at 507-532-8210. Also available is info about disposal of appliances, electronics and tires.  www.lyonco.org. Click on environmental in the departments menu.