Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Last week was Valentine’s Day! It was a day filled with joy and warmth, a time to show how much you care for others. This was a great day for me to celebrate when I was married. I love looking for that one gift to show my heart to a special person. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Love is an action word and you must show and do things throughout the year. But it was fun making a big deal to show how much I love, respect, and desire my husband on Valentine’s Day. 

Now, there is Galentine’s Day, which is a play on Valentine’s Day dedicated to celebrating a different kind of love friendship. The unofficial holiday falls on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s, and specifically encourages women to get together with their female friends and honor the power of female friendship. 

No matter how or if you celebrate this day of love, we all can still be environmentally conscious of what we do. I found an online article on Valentine’s Day Recycling Guide by Millennium Recycling INC in Sioux Falls, SD. They shared this information on how to Keep Valentine’s Day Waste in Check: Valentine’s Day brings gifts, cards, flowers, and candy – but it also brings a lot of unnecessary waste. Let’s do what we can to keep materials out of the landfill! Here’s a simple guide to help you recycle smarter this holiday: Can you recycle these?

Maybe: Valentine’s Day cards

• YES: Paper-based cards can be recycled.

• NO: Cards with foils, batteries, music players, metal charms, or plastic add-ons.

• Tip: Remove any non-paper parts before recycling, or use them for a fun craft project.

No: Candy Wrappers

• Candy wrappers are made of mixed materials that can’t be recycled.

• Idea: Turn them into a DIY craft project instead of throwing them away!

Yes: Candy Boxes

• Cardboard chocolate and gift boxes are recyclable.

• Reminder: Take out any plastic inserts or extras first.

• Reuse them as organizers for small items like jewelry or craft supplies.

No: Flowers

• Flowers can’t be recycled, but they can be composted or cut up and used in your garden.

• Alternative: Donate them to brighten someone’s day at a nursing home or hospital.

No: Plastic Florist Wrapping

• Crinkly plastic wrap is not recyclable and is often not accepted at plastic bag drop-offs.

• Reuse Tip: Save it for gift wrapping, bag stuffing, or craft projects.

• Tissue paper without glitter or plastic can be recycled.

No: Ribbons and bows • These items aren’t recyclable and can jam sorting equipment.

• Tip: Hold onto them to reuse for future gifts.

Maybe: Wrapping and tissue paper

• YES: Wrapping paper made of plain paper can be recycled if it’s free of glitter, foil, or plastic.

• NO: Shiny, glittery, or laminated paper.

• Pro Tip: Use minimal tape to make recycling easier.

Every little effort helps to reduce what ends up in the landfill. By making smart choices with your Valentine’s Day waste, you’re not just helping keep our community clean, but also being a responsible and proactive member of our society!

Please join us on Thursday, February 20, for the Arbor Day planting in the Bryant Commons Orchard. The City of Hinesville will be receiving its Tree City Designation. The event should start around 5 p.m. You can pick up your reserved Arbor Day Trees on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Farmer’s Natural Foods on Hwy 196, 754 Elma G Miles Pkwy, Hinesville, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Farmer’s Natural Foods will also give anyone who picks up their tree on Arbor Day a discount on their choice of smoothies that day. Also, you can pick up at the Melon Bluff Nature Center, 2999 Islands Hwy, Midway, from 1-3 p.m. Your participation will make this event a true community celebration!

On Saturday, you can get your tree at the Recycle It! Fairs, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, at these locations: Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 East Oglethorpe in Midway Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive in Walthourville — There will also be a Shred it! Event at this site.

Just a reminder: these are the items we will collect at the fairs:

• Electronics

• CFLs and fluorescent light bulbs

• Used motor oil and antifreeze

• Car batteries.

• Household batteries

• Printer ink and toner cartridges

• Telephone books, large sale catalogs, and books

• Household goods and clothes and shoes

• Old prescription medications and over-the-counter medications Showing you care is excellent; remember to recycle to keep waste out of the landfill when possible. 

For more information, contact KLB at (912) 8804888 or klcb@libertycountyga. gov or visit our website, www.keeplibertybeautiful. org.