Giving Thanks & Recycling Responsibly: Holiday Waste-Reduction Tips from BIG

This season, we can all wrap gifts, deck the halls, and recycle smartly - so our communities stay clean and bright.

recycled wrapping paper on presents under a tree

The holiday season is a time of celebration - but it's also a time of increased waste. According to EcoEnclose:

"Americans throw away about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time of the year."

Wrapping Paper & Gift Bags

Most glittery, metallic, and foil wrapping paper cannot be recycled. These materials contaminate the paper recycling stream. The Southeast Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority adds:

"If you crumple wrapping paper and it doesn't stay crumpled, it is likely foil or plastic-coated and should be thrown away."

What to recycle:

✔ Kraft paper

✔ Uncoated paper wrapping

✔ Paper gift bags (without glitter or foil)

Not recyclable:

✘ Foil paper

✘ Glitter paper

✘ Plastic-coated bags

Tip: Remove tape, ribbons, and bows before recycling.

Ribbons, Bows & Gift Tags

Most decorative ribbons and bows are made from synthetic materials like polyester that cannot be recycled.

Better options:

• Save and reuse them

• Switch to natural twine

• Cut last year’s cards into recyclable gift tags

Holiday Cards

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, "a holiday card with glitter, foil, plastic coatings, or embellishments cannot be recycled."

Recycle: Plain paper cards

Trash: Cards with foil, glitter, metallic ink, plastic, or magnets

Pro tip: Choose cards made from 100% recycled content.

Tissue Paper

EcoEnclose advises, “Most tissue paper is made from low-grade fibers, meaning it is often not curbside recyclable depending on local guidelines."

Best practices:

• Reuse it if possible

• Compost plain tissue paper if accepted in your area

• Avoid glittery versions entirely

Cardboard Boxes & Shipping Packaging

Online shopping spikes during the holidays—and so does cardboard waste.

BVR Waste & Recycling recommends:

“Flatten all cardboard, remove any plastic film or foam, and keep it dry for recycling.”

Tip: Reuse sturdy boxes for future shipping or storage.

Plastic Bags, Film, Bubble Wrap & Air Pillows

These items cannot go in curbside recycling.

BVR Waste & Recycling states:

“Plastic film is recyclable only at designated drop-off locations—never curbside.”

Recycle plastic film at:

• Grocery store drop-off bins

• Retailers that collect plastic bags

Reuse options:

• Packing future gifts

• Protecting fragile storage items

Real & Artificial Christmas Trees

Christmas tree market

BVR highlights that natural Christmas trees are compostable and recyclable, provided they are entirely free of decorations and not flocked.

Recycle your real tree by:

• Curbside pickup (if offered locally)

• Municipal drop-off sites

• Tree mulching programs

For artificial trees, reuse them for as long as possible or donate them when finished.

Holiday Lights

Holiday lights should never go into the recycling bin.

EcoEnclose notes:

“Holiday lights are considered tanglers and can damage recycling machinery. They must be recycled through specialized programs.”

Where to recycle holiday lights:

• Retail take-back programs

• Community drop-off events

• Mail-in recycling services

Gift Cards

EcoEnclose shares that gift cards are typically made from PVC and cannot be recycled in your curbside container.

Eco-friendly solutions:

• Choose digital gift cards

• Support brands using recycled PVC cards

• Return empty cards to participating retailers

At BIG, we believe sustainability and celebration go hand in hand. With a few mindful choices—like recycling smart, choosing reusable materials, and learning what belongs (and doesn’t belong) in the bin—we can all help create cleaner communities this holiday season.

Let’s make this a season of joy, gratitude, and greener habits.