The Post-Holiday Cleanup: Tips, Tricks, Dos, and Don’ts
Holiday cleanup is on the horizon, and it’s time to start thinking about what to do with all those bows/ribbons, wrapping paper, decorations, packaging, the tree, and more.
A lot of materials can be easily donated, reused, recycled, or even repaired, helping to divert a tremendous amount of waste from your household trash for a more sustainable post-holiday cleanup. Read on to learn more.
Decorations, Old Toys, Holiday-Themed Housewares, and Plastic Trees
If you have old decorations, toys, houseware, or a plastic tree that you no longer need, consider donating them to Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other local thrift shops. Maine Needs is also a great option for some houseware, clothing, and toys. It’s best to call ahead to check what each location accepts and their guidelines for donation. With the exception of toys and ornaments that are broken beyond repair, these items can easily be kept out of your trash.
If you have old tablecloths, towels, or clothing, consider finding an Apparel Impact Donation bin near you. Click the button below to view Apparel Impact’s accepted items list!
Natural Christmas Trees and Wreaths
If you have a natural tree and have the space, you can leave it out in your yard for the remaining winter months as shelter and food for birds. You can even hang edible ornaments as a sweet treat, such as peanut butter coated pinecones, stringed fruit, or unsalted nuts. Be sure to remove any tinsel, lights, wiring/frames, and ornaments.
Alternatively, natural trees are a great snack for goats and alpacas. It’s worth calling around or checking social media groups to see what farms might be accepting them.
Some towns such as Portland and South Portland offer curbside pick-up of natural trees during the first couple of weeks in January. Coastal communities sometimes arrange special tree collections for beach sand dune stabilization efforts and erosion control. Check with your local public works for more information on pick up/ drop off locations and other special programs!
Lastly, many community groups such as high school sports teams, churches, and scout groups offer collections at a small cost. The fees go toward supporting their programming.
Holiday Lights
If you have a strand of lights with one bulb out, you might be able to do a simple repair to get them going again. Check out this simple troubleshooting guide. If they’re still functional, Christmas lights can be donated to local thrift/reuse stores.
Broken string lights can be dropped off at large box stores like Home Depot or Lowes that participate in take-back programs (it’s recommended to call ahead. They can also be mailed to holidayleds.com for recycling. It’s really important that Christmas lights stay out of zero-sort recycling – they tangle up equipment, hinder productivity, and cause safety hazards like fires. When properly recycled, the copper in Christmas light wiring can be used indefinitely!
Holiday Recycling Dos and Don’ts
If you’re using bags or paper and they’re glittery, metallic, or shiny, they belong in the trash. Wrapping paper and bags made of paper, and paper only, can go in your recycling bin. Bows, tape, and tags should be removed.
Got tissue paper? This should be reused or tossed in the trash. The fibers in tissue paper are too short to go through another round of recycling.
Not sure if your wrapping paper is paper? Check out this video to learn more!
In general, the following items are NOT recyclable in your zero-sort bin:
- Ribbons
- Bows
- Tissue paper
- Tape
- String lights
- Holiday ornaments
- Gift cards
- Styrofoam
- Batteries
- Plastic mailers
- Tinsel
Some items such as stretchy plastic packaging and bubble wrap can be recycled through special collections at box stores. Visit this link to find a location near you. Rechargeable batteries can also be recycled through call2recyle.
Not sure if it goes in or stays out? Visit our Recyclopedia for more information. Thank you for doing your best to clean up sustainably after the holidays!
