Cardboard and gift boxes. While it’s best to reuse boxes, they’re also almost universally accepted by curbside recycling services. Just be sure to break them down before placing them in your recycling container.
Disposable eating utensils, plates and cups. These should go in the trash because, among other reasons, they likely contain food residue – a contaminant that can ruin a whole recycling load. Even never-used paper plates are potentially problematic because they might have an outer layer of wax.
Paper towels and napkins. Put these in the trash or a compost bin since they’re probably soiled by food. Aluminum foil that is free of food contamination, however, is recyclable.
Wrapping paper. The answer here is “maybe.” Wrapping paper is recyclable, provided it isn’t adorned with glitter or metal. So the recycling center would probably typically tell you it doesn’t want it.
Packing materials. The packing peanuts, clear plastic padding and Styrofoam that protect electronic devices are typically not recyclable curbside.
Plastic shopping bags. Large retailers such as Walmart and Target will collect plastic bags for recycling.
Holiday lights. Recycling centers don’t want holiday light strings because they can get tangled in machinery, so they shouldn’t go in curbside recycling containers. Places that sell lights, on the other hand, will often accept them for recycling. Also avoid putting lights in the trash because they might contain harmful chemicals.
Batteries. Almost 40% of battery sales occur during the holiday season, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Home improvement stores such as Home Depot often offer collection bins for rechargeable batteries, or check for local hazardous waste collection events where all types of batteries are accepted.
Electronics. Retailers such as Best Buy or local collection events will take your used tech.
Disposable tablecloths. Discard both the plastic and paper varieties of these because chances are they contain at least some traces of food contamination.
Greeting cards. Just like any type of paper, these are typically recyclable in your curbside container. Just make sure there is no glitter or metal on them.
Receipts. All those glossy, thermal paper receipts you collected while buying awesome gifts are not recyclable because they are coated in plastic to make them durable.
Tinsel, ornaments and artificial trees. All of those should go in the trash or be donated to someone else for use.
(Recycling Racoons) Photo: Getty/Photo by Joel Sharp