11 Ways To Up Your Recycling Game During The Holidays

With lots of gift-giving and entertaining, the holiday season is filled to the brim with empty bags, boxes, and containers! Learn how to recycle them properly and turn to Recycling Simplified by Republic Services for reliable and responsible recycling information.

1. Opt for kraft paper gift bags for presents.

Steer clear of gift bags that are laminated, coated, or dyed since they cannot be recycled. Brown kraft paper makes for a very rustic look! And be sure to recycle any plain gift bags you receive as well.

2. Get creative with recyclable wrapping paper.

Like gift bags, wrapping paper that is embellished or has foil or glitter cannot be recycled. However, simple wrapping paper is recyclable, or you can think outside the box (or the roll!) with newspapers, magazines, or old paper maps!

3. Stick to plain paper cards and envelopes.

You guessed it: Cards that are embellished in any way are not recyclable. Plus, a plain card will just make your handwritten message shine even more!

4. Gift baked goods in reusable containers.

Instead of plastic wrap and storage bags, opt for reusable glass and plastic containers. Stack up your own homemade treats, or layer in ingredients for cookies, brownies, and more for your loved ones to bake themselves!

5. Ask for paper bags rather than plastic when shopping — or bring your own bags!

While many hard plastic containers like water bottles and milk jugs can be recycled, anything plastic that doesn't pass the "poke" test (e.g., plastic shopping bags that you could poke your finger through) cannot. And make sure your paper bag, or any material for that matter, does not have any food or liquid on it when you go to recycle it.

6. Speaking of no food or liquid on recyclables, make sure to clean out those eggnog cartons and cranberry sauce cans, and let them dry before recycling!

Paper and plastic cartons, and metal cans don't need to be thoroughly washed before being recycled, but they should be rinsed and then dried so they don't contaminate other items.

7. Break down the cardboard shipping boxes your gifts come in.

By breaking boxes down before recycling, you make them easier to process — and you also leave more room for other recyclables.

8. As you and your family unwrap and enjoy new gifts, separate the paper and plastic packaging before recycling.

In order for the recycling process to work most effectively, items containing two recyclable materials, such as paper packaging inside a plastic container, need to be separated individually at home so they can be properly sorted at the facility later. This means that shipping boxes can be recycled, but padded envelopes or pouches cannot because they contain more than one material.

9. Screw bottle caps or jar lids from your holiday festivities back on before recycling.

Anything that is smaller than a credit card cannot be recycled since it can get stuck in machines once it makes it to the recycling facility. That means that small lids should be screwed back onto their respective bottles or jars and recycled as one unit.

10. Remember that aluminum foil you use for covering leftovers CAN be recycled (as long as it's unsoiled!).

Dust off those crumbs or give it a good wipe and you're golden!

11. And if you already have excellent recycling habits, don't let them slide during the craziness of the holidays!

The holidays are fun and hectic, and routines can quickly get out of whack. Make a promise to yourself that you'll keep up your responsible recycling habits like you do the rest of the year. It's the greatest holiday gift you can give to the Earth. :)

All images via Getty.

All facts courtesy of Recycling Simplified by Republic Services.

Spread some eco-friendly joy this holiday season! Let Recycling Simplified by Republic Services help you recycle and dispose of your waste reliably and responsibly.

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