Deck the halls with boughs of paper… and plastic… and wrapping materials.

What can you recycle from your holiday haul? Just because there’s reindeer on your packages doesn’t make them non-recyclable.

Essentially, most of the gift wrap and supplies – paper, wrappings, packaging materials – should be recyclables. Stay away from styrofoam (ALWAYS) and bubble wrap if you can since these are never recyclable.

What to recycle this Holiday Season

Wondering where to recycle odds & ends? Here’s a full guide:

Where to recycle holiday lights

Due to the nature of holiday lights, it can be a little tricky to find good sources locally. Do NOT throw these into your single-stream recycling bins.

You can box up your lights (in the smallest box possible) and ship them: Christmas Light Source, Recycling Program, 4313 Elmwood Drive, Benbrook, TX 76116. Find the full deets here. Proceeds here are donated to Toys for Tots.

What You Can Recycle During the Holidays

Whether you’re cooking, decorating or wrapping presents, be considerate with what materials you choose BEFORE you start and recycle where you can. DIY and repurposing materials are better than buying virgin materials. Just remember: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure… or something.

Plastic:

• Emptied and rinsed – caps are OK
• All Food and Beverage Containers
• Hard Plastic Takeout Containers
• Plastic Cold Drink Cups and Lids
• Detergent and Shampoo Bottles
• Pump and Spray Bottles
• Plastic Pails, Buckets, Garden Pots

PAPER:

• Newspapers and Inserts
• Magazines, Brochures, and Catalogs
• Junk Mail, Envelopes, Writing Paper
• Scrap Paper
• Paper Bags
• Greeting Cards, Gift Wrap (non-metallic)

CARTONS: (Emptied & rinsed) –

• Milk, Juice, Ice Cream, Wine & Soups

METALS: (Emptied & Rinsed)

• Aluminum, Steel, and Tin Cans
• Empty Aerosol Cans
• Metal Trays and Baking Dishes
• Jar Lids and Bottle Caps
• Clean Aluminum Foil

GLASS: (Emptied and rinsed – caps are OK)

• All Bottles and Jars

CARDBOARD:

• Flattened and free of grease and food
• Corrugated Cardboard Shipping Boxes
• Clean Pizza Boxes
• Paper Towel Rolls
• Egg Cartons
• Dry Food Boxes

Holiday Recycling DON’ts: Naughty list

• Wire
• Plastic Bags
• Styrofoam™ Food/Beverage Containers and Shipping/Packing Material
• Food Waste
• Wet or Food-Soiled Paper
• Waxed Paper Plates, Cups, and Takeout Containers
• Greasy Pizza Boxes
• Tissues, Paper Towels, and Napkins
• Light Bulbs
• Porcelain and Non-Container Glass
• Electronics

array(3) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#9134 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(405)
    ["name"]=>
    string(8) "holidays"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(8) "holidays"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(408)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(68)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#9135 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(3204)
    ["name"]=>
    string(7) "Recycle"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(7) "recycle"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(645)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(120)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [2]=>
  object(WP_Term)#9132 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(1848)
    ["name"]=>
    string(21) "Where Can I Wednesday"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(21) "where-can-i-wednesday"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(1858)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(236)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher