Photo: Elva Etienne / Moment / Getty Images
Let's start with the items that can't be recycled (or may need to be taken to a center for hard-to-recycle materials):
- Bubble wrap
- Cellophane
- Plastic bags
- Christmas lights
- Ribbons
- Bows
- Batteries
- Foam packaging
- Padded mailers
- Decorative wrapping paper
Even though these items cannot be recycled, that doesn't mean they need to meet the trash can just yet — a number of them can be reused.
And some of them may be accepted at centers that collect hard-to-recycle or hazardous materials.
Here are the materials that can be recycled:
- Cardboard boxes (flatten them first)
- Holiday cards (unless foil embossed, and no photos or photo paper)
- Plain paper shopping and gift bags
- Sticker gift tags (only if placed on material that is recyclable)
- Wrapping paper in some locations
- Empty cookie/popcorn tins
- Magazines and catalogs
- Wrapping paper tubes
- Aluminum pie plates
While this is a general guide for recycling, the rules do vary from place to place, so double check your county's rules and regulations before sorting!
Christmas lights can be recycled, but not by placing them in your home recycle bin, they need to be recycled as e-waste —which is anything that has a plug or battery.
Artificial Christmas trees can not be recycled. Real trees on the other hand can be cut down into small pieces and placed in the organic waste bin. Just make sure they have no decorations left on it. Alternatively, used Christmas trees can be picked up as part of a bulk green waste collection.