Holiday Recycling Guide
It's go time for the holidays! During the Thanksgiving to New Year's season Americans throw away 25% more trash than at any other time period. It's a consumption-focused time of the year for sure! So here's a handy guide for holiday recycling as we head toward the New Year!
LEARN
How to Dispose of Your Holiday Items
The holiday season is full of joy...and a lot of waste! This guide will help you navigate holiday-specific recycling challenges, including cooking oil, holiday lights, wrapping paper, and more.
Cooking Oil
After frying up festive treats or that 14 lb turkey...don’t pour used cooking oil down the drain—it can clog pipes and harm water and sewer systems. If the oil is still clear, you can strain and reuse it. If it is darkened and past its prime, turn it into bio-fuel! We are lucky to have SCARCE in our area, which has enabled and compiled a list of permanent oil drop-off locations. Note: Locations accept liquid, vegetable-based cooking oil only – no animal fats.
Holiday Lights
Twinkling lights are a hallmark of the winter holidays but when they give their last twinkle, they need to be specially-recycled. There are both harmful and valuable materials inside which need to be extracted carefully. Plus, if you would put them in the curbside bin, they get tangled in recycling machinery. Thankfully, the GE Park District has made it easy to recycle. See locations by scrolling below.
Cardboard (and other packing materials)
Is the Amazon truck a staple on your street? Cardboard is VERY recyclable and re-usable! Flatten your boxes and put them in the curbside bin. You can also save some smaller boxes and other packing materials for our next EcoShip drive!
Wrapping Paper and Bows
You may know from reading this space that most wrapping paper and bows are not recyclable.
Any paper that holds its shape when crumpled is generally recyclable. But most tissue paper is made with fibers that don't allow it to be recycled. And glitter -- don't get us started! (microplastics and a lasting mess!) So consider alternative ways to wrap -- brown paper, old maps, newspaper, recycled fabric scraps, re-used gift bags, etc. Then you won't have to feel guilty putting all that sparkly paper in the landfill!
Cookie and Popcorn Tins
Popcorn is a food group as far as we are concerned! These tins can be repurposed for storage (we have all our tree decorations in popcorn tins) or be cleaned and re-used for your own holiday treat giveaways. But when they have passed their useful life, they can be recycled in your curbside bin.
Food Waste
The overflowing holiday table is also a staple of the season. First rule with food waste is to plan ahead and don't overbuy. You can also compost most food in the Glen Ellyn's curbside compost program (we are big fans!). If you have surplus food that is donatable, check the Glen House Food Pantry for donation opportunities.
Christmas Trees and Holiday Greens
Don't put your holiday greens in the landfill! Glen Ellyn has a curbside program in January to pick up your trees and other holiday greens. Do not leave trees in plastic bags and remove all garlands, lights, tinsel, and ornaments.
Candles and Candle Wax
Candle wax is not recyclable, but the candle container often is (tin, glass, etc.) Remove the wax and either recycle or reuse the container.
Sporting Equipment
Does your family have new sporting equipment on their holiday gift list? If the equipment it is replacing is still in good condition, consider swapping or donating it at Go Green's next SportSwap on March 9.
DO
Recycle Right During the Holidays
Put in LANDFILL (no specialty recycling or collections)
Most wrapping paper (check crumple test!)
Tissue Paper
Ribbons and bows
Gift bags that are laminated, coated, dyed or glittered (re-use first!)
Cellophane wrap (anything that makes a noise when crumpling)
Packing peanuts
Gift cards with embellishments
Greasy boxes (like for pizza)
Food bags, wrappers and pouches (that might get tangled in recycling centers)
Paper towels and napkins
Animal-based fats
Candle wax
OK to put in CURBSIDE Recycling
Cardboard and paper boxes
Wrapping paper that’s plain (sans glitter and embellishments)
Plain paper gift bags
Holiday cards and envelopes that don’t have embellishments like glitter and glued-on decorations
Popcorn and cookie tins
Eggnog and milk jugs
Glass bottles
SPECIALTY RECYCLING OR COLLECTIONS (NOT curbside)
Cooking Oil (SCARCE list)
Holiday Lights (see below)
Holiday Greens (curbside in Jan)
Plastic bags and other bag-like plastic (at Jewel)
Packaging materials like bubble wrap (EcoShip/Go Green collection being planned!)
Lithium and Rechargeable Batteries including cards that sing! (Home Depot)
Other batteries (Staples)
Gently used sports equipment (SportSwap)
SCARCE collections (check first!)
Don't "wish-cycle" -- if it is not recyclable or re-usable, don't donate it or put it in your curbside bin. And please do not bag your curbside recycling. The whole bag and contents may be tossed directly into the landfill waste.
Happy Holidays!