The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Solid Waste Services reminds residents that many of the special items used during the holidays can be recycled or reused.

“Everything from trees to boxes and wrapping paper and ribbons can be reused or recycled,” says Edison Hicks, Integrated Waste General Manager. “Even large amounts cooking oil, fats and grease can be recycled by taking them to the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station or North Area Recovery Station.”

The City of Sacramento encourages residents to recycle wrapping paper, bottles, cans, mail order catalogs, boxes, and greeting cards by placing them in blue recycle bins with commingled recycling. Christmas trees can be recycled curbside on regularly scheduled loose-in-the street green waste collection days. Ribbons, boxes, and wrapping paper can be reused. Residents who deep-fry turkeys or who generate a large amount of fats, oils and grease can recycle that food waste by collecting it in gallon jugs and bringing it to the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station at 8491 Fruitridge Road or the North Area Recovery Station at 4450 Roseville Road.

Recycling this holiday season and year-round can also help residents save money each month on their utility bill. Residents who recycle more will have less waste to put in their garbage can. Residents who place half-full garbage cans out each week should consider reducing their garbage can size for up to a 37% discount ($7.49) on their monthly garbage collection rate.

For information about when to put out trees for collection and more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday, please visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities or call 311.