Americans throw away 25 percent more during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period than any other time of year. All of that waste produces 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week. One way to cut down on all that debris is to know how to properly dispose of the holiday items that are no longer bringing you cheer. Here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of everything from your tree on down to your holiday cards.
Christmas Trees
The following only applies to real trees; if you’re looking to get rid of a fake tree, that goes out with your regular trash. If disposed of properly, your real tree is recyclable. First is to remove all items from the tree, including ornaments, tinsel, stands and lights. Do not use a tree bag or cut your tree into pieces. Simply place your tree curbside on your next scheduled yard waste/recycling day for pick up.
Cardboard Boxes
Rules vary by county, but in general, you should remove any Styrofoam, plastic bags, or other non-paper packaging from the cardboard box and flatten it to place in or next to your recycling cart.
It is recommended to not advertise the arrival of a new TV, sound system or other large, highly value item by placing the box it came in in the middle of any cardboard stack, or dropping it off at a free community drop-off site around the city.