Cleaning Up the Holidays: How to Recycle for a Sustainable New Year

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it also generates a significant amount of waste. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans produce 25% more trash during the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than at any other time of the year. In the U.K., waste rises by about 30% over that same period.

Staying sustainable during the holidays can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative and conscious about your impact. Here’s how to make your holidays more environmentally friendly. 

Wrapping Paper

Cotton, newspaper, or craft paper wrapping. 

Not all wrapping paper is created equal. Many sheets contain foil, plastic, glitter, or clay, making them difficult or impossible to recycle. 

• Recyclable options: Plain newspaper or craft paper can usually go in curbside bins. Look for wrapping that clearly labels recycling instructions. 
• Recycled content: Many brands now offer wrapping paper made from recycled materials — check packaging or shop online. 
• Reusable alternatives: Consider cloth gift wraps or other zero/low-waste options to reduce holiday waste. 

Gift Bags, Bows, Ribbons

Creative, reusable gift decorations. 

Gift bags, bows, and ribbons often contain plastic or foil, which makes them non-recyclable in most curbside programs. 

• Reuse: Treat gift bags, ribbons, and bows as treasures. Store them carefully to reuse next season — creating a miniature circular economy at home. 

Boxes and Protective Packaging

Corrugated boxes and packaging materials. 

Boxes multiply during the holiday season, but not all are recyclable: 

• Cannot recycle: Cardboard with wax coatings, glossy finishes, or plastic films. 
• Can recycle: Most corrugated cardboard and untreated paperboard (like cereal boxes). 

Protective packaging: 

• Paper-based paper cushioning, void-fill and other paper products can go curbside.  
• Pregis air pillows and poly bags must be taken to store drop-off locations. Visit plasticfilmrecycling.org to find a location near you. 

Christmas Trees and Holiday Lights

Tree recycling and holiday lighting. 

• Live trees: Many municipalities recycle live trees into mulch or compost, minimizing methane production. Use this directory  to find a local recycling program. 
• Artificial trees: Typically made of PVC and not accepted by most recycling programs. Consider donating them to thrift stores or specialty recycling facilities that accept rigid plastics. 
• Holiday lights: Once worn out, lights contain valuable copper, glass, and plastic. Check with local recycling centers for drop-off options instead of tossing them. 

Recycling Tips 

• When in doubt, don’t toss: Putting non-recyclables in your bin can contaminate recyclables and burden workers and facilities. 
• Check local programs: Resources like How2Recycle can help you understand what your community accepts. 

Make Sustainability a Holiday Habit 

• Reuse wrapping paper, bags, and ribbons whenever possible. 
• Consider fabric wraps or reusable gift bags for minimal waste. 
• Use real dishware instead of disposables for holiday meals. 
• Send digital cards or cards made from recycled content. 
• Give experience-based or consumable gifts to reduce packaging waste. 

With these practices, your holiday celebrations can stay joyful without adding unnecessary waste to landfills. By planning, reusing, and recycling smartly, you’ll make your holidays more sustainable — and start the New Year on a cleaner, greener note.