Now that that holiday excitement is beginning to turn into “new year, new me” energy, an important question remains: What should you do with all that torn up wrapping paper? And what about the Christmas tree that’s begun dropping pine needles all over your rug? Here are some tips for recycling and responsibly disposing of holiday waste:
Is Gift Wrapping Recyclable?
It may sound like a contradiction, but the best thing you can do with a lot of wrapping paper is put it in the trash. That’s because most wrapping paper on the market is not recyclable.
Putting it in the recycling bin can contaminate the rest of the load, meaning that all the contents will go to the landfill. The same goes for items like ribbons, holiday cards, and anything that glitters.
Let’s tackle the annual holiday waste dilemma. (Richard Clark / Getty Images)
How to Dispose of a Christmas Tree
- 🎄 Natural trees: Trees can be put out by the curb, but the rules vary by jurisdiction. In Portland and some other jurisdictions, companies want you to chop up the tree and fit it in the bin for compost and yard debris. (You can leave it out for an extra charge, though Portland requires them to be no taller than 6 ft.) Some localities will take the tree at no extra charge. Check with your garbage hauler, though some guidelines are here too. Most recycled trees are turned into wood chips, mulch, or compost; they’ve even been used to help the salmon. So be sure to prep your tree for recycling by removing any decorations, lights, and nonorganic items. You can also get creative and repurpose your tree for other home projects.
- 🎄 Artificial trees: If the tree is in decent condition, consider donating it to a local organization or charity. The Christmas Tree Project also accepts tree and decoration donations to distribute to families in need around the world.
What to Do With Old Decorations
If you have unusable holiday lights, search for the closest location in the metro area to drop them off. Some Home Depot and Ace Hardware locations will take your faulty holiday lights and recycle them for you.
Are your decorations in good working order? Give them a new life by donating them to a local organization, a thrift store, or a hardware store.
I’ll leave you with one last tip for the overachievers out there: take notes on how to reduce your holiday waste next year.
