Are Decorations Recyclable? What About Bows?

Republic Services in Melrose Park has provided a handy list of common holiday materials that can and cannot be recycled.

Recyclable

• Gift boxes
• Tissue paper
• Shoe boxes
• Live Christmas trees
• Cards/envelopes
• Paper gift bags
• Non-metallic wrapping paper

Non-recyclable

• Bubble wrap (consider reusing
• Foam peanuts (some UPS stores will accept and re-use)
• Ribbon and bows (consider reusing
• Tree decorations
• Sticky gift labels
• Coated, laminated or dyed gift bags
• Metallic wrapping paper (consider reusing
• Soiled disposable tableware

Republic Services suggests that there are creative and practical ways to reuse items that are not recyclable.

Use sustainable packing materials when packing and sending gifts.
Instead of purchasing new foam peanuts, use shredded newspaper or even popcorn.
If you receive foam peanuts in packages, consider reusing them for later shipping.
If you can’t bear to throw away holiday greeting cards, you can use them to make a festive gift tag.

How do you re-use holiday materials when you’re finished with them? Tell us in the comments!

Did you get an electronic gift to replace old or broken devices? Electronics can’t be thrown away with the rest of the garbage. Here are a few ways to responsibly recycle old electronics.

• Many of the largest retailers that sell electronics now have recycling programs at their individual stores.
• Goodwill Industries takes electronics.
• The web site at earth911 includes a search function that allows people to find locations nearby.

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