PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 24, 2025
What’s recyclable in one Maine community may not be in the next, leaving the most well-intentioned residents feeling uncertain. But there are ways to trim the waste. Some coastal communities use discarded trees to prevent coastal erosion and stabilize shorelines. The Maine DEP suggests rural residents toss them in the backyard to enrich the soil and create wildlife habitat. Farms with goats are often happy to accept untreated trees as a winter snack. There are responsible ways to recycle old or broken lights. Staples stores throughout Maine have take-back programs that accept holiday lights. Scrunch wrapping paper into a tight ball. If it stays wrinkled and compressed, it is recyclable. If it bounces back, it contains non-paper materials like plastic or foil and must go in the trash. Standard alkaline batteries are not a fire risk and can be placed in the household trash. All rechargeable batteries must be taken to a designated take-back facility.