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Health & Fitness

Recycle the Wrap!

Of the 85 million tons of paper products Americans consume each year, half of this goes towards wrapping, packaging and decorating. Please remember to recycle the wrap!

    After the Hanukkah and Christmas gift giving, there’s no need to fill an entire trash barrel with crumpled wrapping paper, boxes and ribbons. As long as it rips, wrapping paper is recyclable! Boxes, molded paperboard, tissue paper, and register receipts should also go in the recycle bin. Ribbons and bows, however, because most are made from synthetic materials can’t be recycled, but they could be saved and reused.

    To make space for those new ‘toys’ and that new sweater, consider donating your old things to charity. Big Brother Big Sister provides a pick-up for useful household items. They have collections scheduled for Jan. 4 and Jan. 26, 2012 in Swampscott. Call 1-800-483-5503 to make arrangements. Larger items can be donated to The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless furniture bank which provides assistance to those in transition. The Coalition, located in Lynn, will pick up TVs, lamps, tables, chairs, pots and pans, rugs, radios, and other useful items for setting up an apartment. Instead of throwing away useful furnishings, contact the Coalition at 781-595-7570 or go to http://www.mahomeless.org.

    Are you wondering what to do with Styrofoam packing peanuts? Bring the peanuts to the UPS store Vinnin Square in a bag or box and they will be recycled. And your plastic bags - shopping, zip lock, and otherwise, labeled #2 and #4 - are accepted at any grocery store plastic bag recycling station.

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    Do you have a mounting collection of spent alkaline (single use) batteries from gagets and toys? Although we are told it’s okay to throw them in the trash, there’s a much better way. The Swampscott Health Department will soon offer a collection box for old alkaline batteries and will send them out to be recycled. Rechargeable and button batteries, which contain heavy metals and other toxic substances, should not go in the trash. Please bring these to the Health Department as well.

    Happy Holidays!

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