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The holidays have a way of overtaking our everyday lives, and once over, can leave us reeling from too much eggnog. Sit a spell and take a look at Bay Disposal’s tips for reducing your eco-impact while cleaning up the post-Holiday mess.

Real Live Trees: Remove all the decorations from your tree (especially tinsel). Most cities will pick up your old holiday tree on the curb with your regular refuse, and they’ll recycle it into mulch, bird or fish feeders, soil erosion barriers, and more.

Other options include dropping off trees at recycling centers or contacting local organizations such as the boy scouts, who may charge a small fee but you’ll know you’re helping a child learn a lesson and earn a badge. Just because the holiday is over doesn’t mean you can’t keep giving back!

Wrapping Trappings: Although it’s got “paper” in the name, wrapping paper is often not recyclable. These days it’s almost difficult to find paper devoid of glitter, sparkles, or shiny metallic stripes, spots, or snowflakes. Even if you can’t recycle them, try to open these gifts without tearing it, and maybe you’ll be able to reuse the paper.

Loose Ends: Plastic ribbons and bows are not recyclable, and ribbons in particular are problematic for recycling centers. When in doubt, reuse, or dispose of in the regular trash. Always repurpose fabric ribbons, and moving forward, shift your wrapping habits to include more green elements.

Holiday Cards: Recycle plain and simple cards, but save out the glitzy, glittery, gold-silver-metallic embellished ones. Any elements that are not strictly paper are likely not good to recycle. There are a few options to consider when it comes to these types of cards, but the most common is to cut off the plain back and recycle it alone.

Break it Down: Cardboard is a no-brainer! Simply break down the box, flatten it, and drop it in the recycle bin.

Check out Earth911’s search to find a recycling solution near you, and if there are none, then be sure to bookmark our last post for next year, and wrap with more environmentally-friendly options. Gift bags, for example, are almost infinitely reusable (as long as not torn).

We hope your holidays were happy, and your new year is bright!

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