While the holiday season is filled with memories and spending time with family, it is also a time of year we tend to have more waste. On average, Americans trash 25% more during the holidays when compared to the rest of the year. Holiday wrapping, decor, and trees warm our homes and ultimately end in the trash can at the end of year. Check out the tips and trick below for a sustainible holiday.
Holiday Lights:
Did you pull out your holiday lights this year only to find burnt out strings? Even worse, did they not last the season? It’s time to recycle!
String lights and lightbulbs don’t belong in curbside bins. They can contaminate the regular recycling and cause hazards. Instead, recycle the resources with electronics recycling. The VBCD Resource Recovery Program will take strings of lights for electronic recycling year-round.
Visit our partnering drop -off locations:
Lakeview Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw
- Tuesdays – Saturdays 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
South Haven Seniors Services Center
- 8337 M-140 Hwy, South Haven
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Find the list of all eligible drop off items under the electronics dropdown on the Recycling Guide page.
Gift Wrap and Tissue Paper:
While it is fun and eye-catching to use paper, ribbons, and bows to wrap up gifts, it can become confusing on what can go into recycling. Look at our recycling tips below!
❌Glitter, foil, confetti, and shiny finishes are not recyclable.
🛍️Paper gift bags can be recycled. Before recycling, watch for shiny coatings and remove fabric or ribbon handles from paper bags. As an alternative, consider using reusable bags for gifting. Much like bags, tissue paper recycling follows the same rules. If the paper is free from glitter and foils, toss it in your recycling. If not, it is best to throw it in the trash.
🎀Bows can be a beautiful way to top off a gift. As a bonus, many bows can be reused. As an alternative, try natural fibers like hemp and greenery to spruce up your wrapping game. Natural fiber ribbons and greenery can go in your compost pile. Ribbons made from non-natural fibers should not go into your recycling as they could damage the recycling machinery.
💌Cards are great to send to family and friends. Be sustainable this year by choosing cards made from all paper. Shiny, glittery cards cannot be recycled. This may be a great time to pull out your craft supplies and make some handmade cards this year. Try using upcycled materials and be a recycling star!
♻️Recycling drop-off stations for your clean, recyclable gift wrap, bags, and cards can be found throughout the county. Check out our Recycling Basics page to find the drop-off station nearest you.
Wreaths and Trees:
Trees are a long standing tradition. Dealing with the tree once the season is over can be difficult if you don’t know what to do with it. Check out these landfill alternatives for live tree and wreath disposal!
🎄Mulch- Trees can be mulched once branches are removed. Mulch is great to use in your garden beds!
🧑🌾Compost- Trees can be shredded or broken down into smaller pieces to add to your compost.
🐐Livestock- Pine is a healthy treat for livestock like goats and chicken. Say hi to your local farmers and ask if they would like your tree.
🦅Birds- Place your tree in the backyard or woods for bird feeding and nesting. Adding fresh orange or leaving popcorn strings on the tree will attract more birds.
🚫Do not burn in indoor fireplaces- This can cause a build up of sap in fireplaces which can become a fire hazard.
Don’t forget to remove all decorations, lights, and tinsel from your tree!
