LINCOLN SQUARE — Delivery services expect to handle a record number of packages this holiday season, boosted by the continued growth of online shopping.
That translates into a whole lot of boxes and bubble wrap.
To stay on Streets & San(ta)'s "nice" list, here's what should go in the recycling bin and what shouldn't:
• Boxes are recyclable, but please, for the love of Kris Kringle, break them down.
"It conserves space in the cart and it helps with compaction in the truck," said Chris Sauve, director of recycling for the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
The goal is to get the cart's lid to close in order to keep out water, which can have a negative effect on paper, Sauve said.
Pro tip: It's helpful to remove plastic packing tape from boxes but not necessary.
• Packing peanuts. Nope, not recyclable. These are typically made of polystyrene, aka the dread No. 6 plastic, which isn't accepted by Chicago's recycling facilities.
Either reuse the peanuts when packing a gift on your end — and then they become the next person's problem — or alas, they're landfill.
Plastic packing wrap might be printed with a recycling symbol but don't be fooled. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
• Bubble wrap and "air pillows." These tricky little guys are labeled with the No. 2 plastic recycling symbol, but don't be fooled. Like other members of the "plastic film" family — plastic grocery bags, cereal box liners, etc. — the packaging material might be recyclable but the items themselves are a major no-no because they can jam recycling machinery.
As with packing peanuts, the recommendation is to pass the buck reuse, or if there's a 3-year-old in your house, wrap the wrap as a gift itself.
Pinterest, bless its heart, has hundreds of ideas for crafty things to do with bubble wrap, ranging from science experiments to couture.
Believe it or not, this dress is Chanel. Try it at home with bubble wrap. [Pinterest]
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