Cleaning Up Your Christmas in Rosemount, Dakota County

Christmas 2011 has come and gone. Whether you start disassembling your decorative displays right away or wait a couple weeks (or months?), at some point all the holiday decorations go, too.

Lights

If you have old holiday lights or electrical equipment that you're ready to toss, recycle them instead.

Residents can now recycle light strings and extension cords at the  until the end of February. Bins will be located in the upper lobby and at the Park and Recreation office (the office is open weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). 

"Old strings of holiday lights, lighted figurines, extension cords, and electrical cords removed from appliances are being collected by the Recycling Association of Minnesota and MRCI WorkSource for their “Recycle Your Holidays” program," according to the City of Rosemount.

The material will be collected and recycled by MRCI, and it's a way for the public to help the environment by correctly disposing of these items.

Wondering where else to dispose of these items? Visit The Pond; Fluegel’s Lawn, Garden, and Pet Supply; Sterling State Bank; Vermillion Bank; Rosemount National Bank; ; Alliance Education Center; ; ; ; and MRCI WorkSource Rosemount. 

Search for more drop-off locations in the area on the Recycle Your Holidays 2011-2012 website.

Christmas Trees

After the lights are unwound, there's the bare tree to dispose of. Note: It's illegal in Minnesota to put your real Christmas tree or wreath (or any yard waste) in the garbage.

"Real Christmas trees and wreaths with wires removed are banned from household garbage. Most garbage haulers offer pick-up service 1–3 weeks after Christmas. Some garbage haulers require residents schedule a pick-up time," according to Dakota County's website.

The website also stated garbage haulers will take them to a composter.

The county suggests checking with your hauler.

Residents also can take their own trees to a compost facility, which the county lists here. Nearby options are Resouce Recovery Technologies (RRT) in Empire township and the Gertens Brickyard in Inver Grove Heights.

Another option is to chop up the tree and compost it in the backyard. Here are some composting tips from Dakota County.

Several options exist for donating fake trees and wreaths that are unwanted; unusable trees and wreaths can go in the garbage.

Wrapping Paper

Wrapping paper, tissue paper and gift bags aren't recyclable, according to Dakota County's website, and should go in the garbage. (Another interesting fact listed is that more than 5 million more tons of garbage than usual is produced between Thanksgiving and New Year's day.)