The City of Sioux Falls offers tips for keeping the community clean during the holiday season.
While some apply only to city residents, other tips can help out, no matter where you live.
Reduce, reuse, recycle is the holiday message the city of Sioux Falls is promoting this Christmas season.
Josh Peterson is the city’s Environmental Services Manager. He said the message is important for waste diversion.
“Diverting waste from the landfill is important for extending the lifespan, and keeping waste collections costs stable for residence. Plus, reducing and reusing materials saves you money, and recycled materials is sent to facilities that turn products into new ones," said Peterson. "All these things help save valuable resources and you money.”
Peterson said a good way to know if an item is recyclable is, ‘if you can rip it, you can recycle it.’ He reminds residents to not bag their recyclable materials.
Peterson offers a unique way to reduce the amount of waste produced this season.
“For all you last-minute shoppers out there, another idea, if your still looking for gifts, is instead of going for those physical gifts, go for those experiential gifts instead. That just reduces the physical things that you are generating, and also supports your local businesses,” said Peterson.
Peterson said reusing items such as gift bags, boxes, and ribbon is another way you can help keep your community clean.
He reminds all Sioux Falls residents to use their annual free landfill pass.
“If you haven’t used your free pass to the landfill yet this year, you’ve still got a few days left before the end of the year. If you already have, the good news is that those reset on Jan. 1,” said Peterson.
Sioux Falls is opening its annual Christmas tree-drop off on Tuesday, Dec. 26 and will remain open through Jan. 7.
Trees will be accepted at two locations. One west of the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and one on North Lyon boulevard.
Christmas tree drop off is free for residents in Sioux Falls, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner counties.
