Christmas will be here before we know it, and with it will come a bit of confusion as to what is recyclable and what is not. Below are lists of common Christmas debris that can and cannot be recycled.
What to do with holiday decorations and gift wrap may present a challenge. Is wrapping paper recyclable? What about Christmas tree ornaments? Tinsel?
To answers those questions, Republic Services has its own “naughty and nice” list of recyclable holiday materials.
| NICE (recyclable) | NAUGHTY (not recyclable) |
| Gift boxes | Bubble wrap (consider reusing) |
| Tissue paper | Wrapping paper (consider reusing) |
| Shoe boxes | Ribbon and bows (consider reusing) |
| Holiday cards | Anything on the tree |
| Gift bags (if paper) | Sticky gift labels |
| | Gift bags if coated, laminated, dyed |
| Foam peanuts (consider reusing) |
NICE (recyclable) NAUGHTY (not recyclable)
Gift boxes Bubble wrap (consider reusing)Tissue paper Wrapping paper (consider reusing)
Shoe boxes Ribbon and bows (consider reusing)Holiday cards/envelopes Anything on the tree
Gift bags (if paper) Sticky gift labels Gift bags if coated, laminated, dyed
Foam peanuts (consider reusing)
Wrapping paper, while it contains paper, cannot be recycled because it is often dyed and laminated and may contain non-paper additives, such as gold and silver coloring, glitter, and plastics. Ribbons and bows cannot be recycled because they aren't paper products.