How to wrap up holiday recycling

Dana H. Fowler, Special to The County
6 years ago

With the end of the year approaching, we would like to pass on some information about the upcoming holidays and New Year that may affect you regarding solid waste issues.  

The Presque Isle Landfill will be open regular hours on Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23  Weekday hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.  The Recycling Center will be open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, and then will be closed the remainder of the day.  Both the landfill and recycling center will be closed all day on Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas and on Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.  

Every year we receive numerous inquiries about whether Christmas wrapping paper is recyclable.  The answer is that wrapping paper is not recyclable and must be treated as refuse.  The mills that accept paper for recycling specifically forbid wrapping paper.  If you are a hardcore recycler, you may want to consider using the colored comics’ page from the Saturday newspaper for wrapping gifts because the newspaper can be recycled.

If you are wondering what to do with your natural tree after Christmas, there are several sites where you can drop off your tree at no cost.  These include the former Cunningham School lot, Presque Isle Landfill, Presque Isle Recycling Center, Gil’s Sanitation, and Star City Sanitation.  Please remove all decorations from the tree and do not leave your tree in a plastic bag.

If you have any questions about recycling, or landfill rules, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 760-2712 or visit the City’s website at www.presqueislemaine.gov.

Dana H. Fowler, P.E., is public services director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 760-2707 or via email at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.