County: Don't Throw Out That Gift Wrap

We already know there's a  the presents you're getting this Christmas have been given to someone before. But the Morris county Municipal Utilities Authority hopes you'll be similarly recycling-minded when it comes to your gift wrap.

The MUA is urging residents not to put gift wrap in the trash. The only exception is foil wrap, which should be reused or put into the trash, but not into recycling bins designated for paper.

Penny Jones, recycling education specialist with the MUA, said in a statement from the organization that gift wrap, including tissue paper, is acceptable in Morris County's recycling programs.

"The amount of trash that haulers collect increases dramatically during the holidays," Jones said. "Much of that is gift wrap and packaging that can be reused or recycled rather than be put into in the trash."

Jones suggested saving and reusing bows as well as bubble wrap and clean, dry polystyrene (Styrofoam) packing peanuts. She said the packing peanuts and bubble wrap can be taken to Mail Boxes Etc., the UPS Store or similar retailers for reuse.

To find the closest store, Jones said an individual can visit the Plastic Loose Fill Council's website, can call the "Peanut" Hotline at 1-800-828-2214, or can check the Yellow Pages.

Jones said corrugated cartons, pre-holiday catalogs and gift boxes should also be recycled, as should glass bottles, plastic bottles coded 1 and 2, aluminum beverage cans and steel food cans from holiday gatherings, along with other items that are acceptable in some Morris County municipalities.

"Be sure to look over the information your municipality has sent you or has posted on its website to see if any other items besides those listed above are acceptable," Jones said. Jefferson's recycling information is here.