Recycling Tips for the Day After Christmas
February 18, 2010
Somehow there always so much work to be done after Christmas. What do you do with the wrapping paper, packaging, food leftovers and more? How do you deal with it all, not make more work for yourself, and yet still make the most eco-friendly choices?
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Wrapping paper - First, look at what type of paper was used to wrap the gifts. Many types of wrapping paper are not recyclable paper containing metallic or plastic flecks, other un-recyclable filler fibers, or due to excessive tape. So the options here are to smooth it out and save it for next year, smooth it. Wrapping paper can also be re-used when making crafts such as greeting cards, book covers, and more. Shred it and use it for packing material for mailing things, or for wrapping breakables if you or someone you know is moving.
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Tissue Paper - This can easily be reused. Save the pieces that are not too crumpled and use them next year. If it’s too crumpled or wadded up you can use it to wrap up fragile ornaments for storage. Or save some of it for the extra padding you use to fill out a gift bags.
- Cardboard boxes - easily flattened and recycled. Shirt boxes like you get from a department store can be flattened and added to next years wrapping supplies..
- Gift bags- great for next year
- Christmas cards - make great gift tags for next year.
- Gifts - if you got a new cell phone send in your old one to help our soldiers. Cellphone for Soldiers has a recycling plan. Go to cellphoneforsoldiers.com for a drop off center.
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Clothes- Donate your old clothes to charity. Same with dishes or household items.
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Christmas Tree - some cities like Los Angeles offer curbside recycling. To find out if yours does or to find a recycling center near you do a search on earth911.com
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