MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Especially during the holiday season, recycling facilities are bombarded with items that do not belong in your blue bin.  

"All of your cards, your wrapping paper, those are recyclable but if they have glitter or foil, it's a little heartbreaking, but not recyclable," says Samantha Longshore, Milwaukee's Resource Recovery Program Manager.

In the facility on West Mount Vernon Avenue, crews sift through about 32 tons of recyclables every hour.​  

"When you get a lot of contaminates, it's really hard to get all of those contaminates out and grab them," says Longshore.

Click here for a complete list of holiday items that are not recyclable. 

Some include:

  • Tissue paper
  • Styrofoam
  • Bows
  • Ribbons
  • Christmas lights
  • Wrapping paper/cards containing glitter
  • Plastic bags
  • Gift bags
  • Bubble wrap
  • Christmas trees
  • Contaminated boxes (ie: pizza boxes)
  • Toys

Longshore says a piece of equipment experienced a jam on Wednesday, which could have been caused by a string of Christmas lights.

"We get it every year and it's something a lot of municipalities are dealing with," Longshore adds. "Ribbons, bows, things that can wrap around the equipment can cause a jam."

Recycling facilities see an abundance of cardboard boxes during the holidays as well, due to the popularity of gift-buying sites such as Amazon.  Longshore reiterates the importance of breaking those boxes down before putting them in the recycling.

"It saves a lot of room in the truck," Longshore says.  "We've had a few drivers that haven't been able to finish their recycling routes because they have so many boxes that aren't broken down and it takes up so much room."

Experts agree.  When in doubt, throw it out.

"It's really helpful for us if you're only sending in materials you absolutely know can be recycled​," Longshore adds.

Most municipalities in Wisconsin do not collect on Christmas, or New Years Day. Check with your local city, or town to make sure you know the schedule.