Wait!

Before you toss that cardboard box in your trash can, think about putting it in the back of your car and heading to a recycling bin.

Waste at the Casper landfill increases 40 percent during the holidays, and the largest contributor is cardboard, said Cynthia Langston, Casper solid waste division manager.

As landfill garbage increases and the city expands it, costs to the consumers increase.

"The more we divert the longer the pits will last," Langston said. "The longer they last the less money is charged to the consumer."

Cardboard is not only one of the easiest products to recycle but it also generates revenue for the city's recycling program.

"Do one thing for the environment this holiday season," said Keep Casper Beautiful Coordinator Jolene Martinez. "Recycle your corrugated cardboard."

Martinez said it doesn't cost anything to recycle your cardboard, and it only takes seconds to break down a box.

"Recycling cardboard also saves room in your Dumpster and in the landfill," Langston said.

Garbage in the landfill increases 8,600 tons between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Of the 10,000 to 14,000 tons of garbage collected each month, 47 to 50 tons is cardboard.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com



Reducing holiday trash -- tips from the city

Gifts

* Reuse Christmas cards, ribbons and bows in crafts.

* Use old magazines, calendars, newspapers or brown bags to wrap gifts. All these items are recyclable and wrapping paper is not.

* Use gift bags instead of wrapping. Bags can be used many times without looking old.

* Make the present part of the package and don't wrap at all. Give beauty products in a purse or wrap a gift in a scarf.

Gifts that replace the old

* When you purchase electronics ask the retailer if they will recycle the old item. Many manufacturers will take them back for a nominal fee or for free.

* The city of Casper Landfill offers recycling for electronics for $10 per item.

* Cell phones can be recycled for free through Keep Casper Beautiful's Wipe Out Wireless Waste program. Clear all personal information from the phone and mail in a postage-paid envelope available at: City Hall, Eastridge Mall Cop Shop, Natrona County Extension Office or the Natrona County Library.

* Recycle all unusable metal appliances and toys such as bicycles, wagons and scooters as well as metal tool boxes, bed frames and fitness equipment. All are accepted free of charge at the landfill.

* Don't throw away items that can be reused. Donate them to thrift shops or local nonprofits. You can also use www.freecycle.org and find someone who will use your items.

Parties

* Use plates and utensils that can be washed and reused.

* Encourage guests to label their drink cups to reduce the number used.

* Separate recyclable aluminum cans and glass bottles.

* Place perishable items such as cheese and meats on a table only as needed to reduce the amount thrown away.

After the holiday

* There are six drop-off spots around the city for your Christmas tree and evergreen material between Dec. 26 and Jan 31.

* Fire Station #2 -- on College Drive

* Viking Court -- formerly Donegal

* Youth Baseball Field on 13th Street. -- In the Sycamore Street parking lot to the west of the ball field

* Paradise Valley Pool

* North Casper Recycling Depot

* Casper landfill compost drop off area



Take your cardboard, magazines, newspaper and glass to local recycling depots

* Landfill

* Kelly Walsh High School

* Meals on Wheels

* Rocky Mountain Discount Sports

* Sunrise Shopping Center

* Mountain Plaza

* North Casper Ball Fields



Send your plastics with your college student

* There are three places in Wyoming that will collect #1 and #2 plastics

* Laramie: Ark Regional Services 1150 N. 3rd St.

* Gillette: Campbell County Recycling Center, 909 Westover Road

* Jackson: Jackson Community Recycling