Did you know that during the holiday season 25 percent more trash is generated than normal? Here are easy ways for you to minimize waste and do the right thing for the environment and your community.

Important holiday trash and recycling reminders:

Reuse tissue paper and gift bags. You can recycle most wrapping paper (except foil paper) and cardboard tubes.

Recycle all boxes from online shopping. Please break them down before putting them in your blue bin.

Ensure you're recycling correctly to avoid contaminating your bin. Ribbon, bows, twine, light strings, and turkey and ham mesh wrappers are NOT accepted in blue bins. See the full list of accepted items.

Rinse out your recyclable aluminum cans and bottles. If there is food residue in them, they are contaminated.

Holiday trees are not accepted in the trash container. Trees can be disposed of through green organics, bulk collection and a drop off location. See more info.

Do not dispose of fats, oils or grease down the drain. Residents can drop off used grease through early January at four Tempe locations. See more info on proper disposal.

Never use your blue recycling bin as an extra trash bin. If you have extra trash, call Tempe 311 at 480-350-4311 for an additional trash pickup.