Holiday Recycling Tips: What to Do With Wrapping Paper, Boxes, and Ribbons

The holiday season brings joy, gifts, and—inevitably—heaps of wrapping paper, boxes, and ribbons. Deciding what to recycle versus what to discard can be daunting, but Terry Weber, VP of Industry Affairs at the American Forest and Paper Association, offers simple tips to manage holiday waste responsibly. Weber emphasizes the importance of recycling, noting that about 50% of the fiber used in new paper and packaging comes from recycled materials. "If it's all paper, recycle it," she advises. For cardboard boxes, she recommends the "empty, flat, and recycle" rule to maximize space in your recycling bin. When it comes to wrapping paper and gift bags, Weber suggests checking for non-paper elements like glitter, foil, or cloth handles. "Tightly crumple the wrapping paper—if it stays in a ball, it’s likely recyclable," she explains. However, ribbons and non-paper gift bags usually belong in the trash due to their mixed materials. Greeting cards can also be recycled, provided they are entirely paper. Cards with plastic components or batteries should be kept out of recycling bins, as these pose safety hazards during processing. Weber warns against "wish cycling," the practice of placing non-recyclable items in the bin with the hope they'll be sorted out later. This increases costs for recycling facilities and may lead to contamination. The effort to recycle holiday waste is significant—last year alone, Americans recycled 46 million tons of paper. By following local recycling guidelines and Weber's tips, we can help ensure holiday cheer doesn’t come at the environment's expense. Happy holidays, and remember: recycle smart!