BY SHELBY TUTTLE
The holiday season is a time of joy, but it can also generate a significant amount of waste. With sparkly ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, tinsel, and ornaments aplenty, it can be tough to know what should go in the trash and what can be recycled. Spoiler alert: The holiday season can create a lot of extra work for our friends at the recycling center when we “wishcycle” holiday materials that can’t actually be recycled.
By making conscious choices to sort our holiday waste responsibly — and repurpose items for later use — we can reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable season. Here are some quick tips:
PACKAGING AND WRAPPING
Cardboard Boxes: Break down cardboard boxes and flatten them to maximize space in recycling bins — this reduces space not just in your bin, but the recycle truck itself. Flattening your cardboard reduces the need for the recycle truck to expend more fuel and make extra trips to get all those Amazon Prime boxes to the plant. Remember to remove any plastic tape or labels before recycling.
Wrapping Paper: Plain wrapping paper is recyclable. However, paper with glitter, foil, or metallic finishes cannot be recycled. You don’t have to get all the tape off before tossing it in the bin, but try to remove as much as possible.
Gift Bags: Reusable gift bags are a fabulous alternative to wrapping paper, as they can easily be reused for years to come. Fold them up and store them away in a handy gift wrap organizer for future use. If you must toss them, do so in the recycle bin and follow the same rules for wrapping paper. Be sure to remove any fabric or plastic handles.
Ribbons and Bows: Gift bows with paper backing are not recyclable, and neither are the pretty segments of ribbon used to decorate your packages. Ribbon can be an especially big problem for the commercial sorters used in recycling plants, getting tangled in the mechanisms. Consider reusing ribbons and bows for future gift-wrapping or crafting projects – or even skipping them altogether this season.
CHRISTMAS TREES
Real Trees: Many communities offer Christmas tree recycling and composting programs, with information readily available on city websites. Flocked trees might not be accepted, so if you celebrate the season with a tree donned with faux snow, make sure to double check the guidelines.
Artificial Trees: While artificial trees can be reused, they are not typically recyclable. If your artificial tree has seen better days, consider donating your old artificial tree to a charity or selling it online.
CARDS AND DECORATIONS
Cards: Plain paper cards can be recycled. However, cards with glitter, foil, or other non-paper elements should be thrown in the trash.
Ornaments and Lights: These items can be reused or donated to charity. Broken or outdated ornaments can be recycled through specialized programs or disposed of in the trash.
Tinsel: Tinsel is often made of plastic and poses the same threat to recycling equipment. Dispose of it in the trash or skip it altogether (especially as it can be a serious hazard for pets if they ingest it).
Candles: Although there isn’t a need to recycle Hanukkah or Kwanzaa candles, you can do your part to make Hanukkah or Kwanzaa celebrations more sustainable by skipping traditional paraffin wax candles and opt for those made from natural materials like beeswax or soy.
Menorahs and Kinaras: Opt for eco-friendly menorahs and kinaras made from sustainable materials — or make your own from repurposed materials — and reuse them for years to come.
By incorporating these simple tips into your holiday routine, you can make a positive impact on the environment and enjoy a more sustainable holiday season.
