Does the universal symbol of recycling - the "three chasing arrows"- leave you feeling a bit dizzy?  Are you trapped like a SPI number 1 in a perpetual triangle of confusion over what goes where, who takes what, and when will they will actually come and get it?

Well then, the post-holiday season is the perfect time to brush up on what to do with the things that you want nothing more to do with.

Yesterday I threw out some ideas as to how not to throw out items that may be of value to someone else.  Today I look at how recycling can benefit our planet, our towns and even our own backyards.

Mingling is great for a party, but not for your garbage

First thing's first. Did you know that recycling is mandatory in Larchmont and Mamaroneck?  The Westchester County Source Separation Law states that all businesses, institutions and residences must properly separate recyclable materials from their garbage. 

Trash bags found co-mingling plastic, metal, paper and glass will be politely tagged with a bright red "Oops!" sticker and left behind. So unless you want your trash wearing the equivalent of an eco-scarlet letter, be diligent about your recycling in 2010.

Recycling day is every Wednesday in both the Village of Larchmont and the Town of Mamaroneck. A list of what is accepted on regular pick-up days is conveniently listed on their Web sites.

A quick recycling refresher

Accepted plastic, metal and glass clean of debris may be placed together within the same open container. Recycling bins ($9, lids $5) are available for sale at both town centers.  Paper, newspaper, magazines and broken down cardboard boxes can either be tied into stacks or placed inside recyclable paper bags. Remember, your recycling should never be put out in plastic garbage bags.

Westchester County sponsors special recycling days throughout the year. Check their website at Westchestergov.com or call 211 for information on the days and locations that personal documents (shredding), E-waste (computers, TVs, etc.), white waste (appliances) and household chemicals can be safely disposed of. 

Since the holidays tend to bring joy, merriment and a whole list of additional garbage into your home, here are a few suggestions on how to recycle some of those tricky leftovers of December's festivities:

1) Christmas trees free of all lights and decorations may be placed on the curb for pickup by the highway department during the month of January. The good news is the trees are then 100 percent recycled (chipped) as organic waste.

3) Greenery, like wreaths and garlands, usually contain metal wire, so they should not be placed on the curb for pickup.  Keep them out of the landfill by carefully removing all metals and decorations, recycling what you can, and composting the rest back into your own garden.

4) Stringed holiday lights are not recyclable, but the holidays wouldn't be as fun without them, so consider investing in LEDs as you replace old decorations.  LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy and last years longer than traditional bulbs. HolidayLEDS.com is now offering a recycling program for incandescent decorative lights, with participants receiving a 15 percent off coupon to purchase new LED lights in their place.

5) Styrofoam inserts and peanuts will not be picked up with the regular recycling. Participating UPS stores will take your styrofoam peanuts to be reused. Otherwise, recycle them yourself by putting them in boxes to store your holiday decorations (your shredded holiday receipts could work as well) or use them as filler in the bottom of flowerpots come spring.

6) Ribbons and bows cannot be recycled. Plan to re-use as much as you can and consider forgoing them all together next year.  If you must use ribbons, keep them longer in length when you wrap, this way it will be easier for the next person to use them. This may mean wrapping ribbons a few times around smaller gifts.

7) Plain paper, wrapping paper, gift bags and gift boxes free of glitter and plastics can be recycled, but first always salvage as much as you can to re-use.

6) Buy re-usable shopping bags and vow to use them every time you shop.  If plastic grocery and produce bags did find their way home with you over the holidays, collect them, along with your bread bags, dry cleaning film and newspaper bags, and return them to the store.  Stop & Shop (1326 Boston Post Rd.) and Trader Joe's (1260 Boston Post Rd.) will now recycle them for you.

7) Cell phones (remember to remove all personal information) and rechargeable batteries are also now being collected at Stop & Shop's customer service center.

One last thought that I must throw out there (no pun intended): resolve to purchase as many products made of recycled materials as you can in 2010.  Supporting brands that re-use these materials keeps recycling centers in business and the chasing arrows of our county's recycling goals circling smoothly along.

Stay tuned for the third and last piece in this green series.