Can you recycle that wrapping paper? Your guide to dealing with Christmas waste in Seattle

When you’re done unwrapping presents and opening boxes, what to do with all that packaging?

Here is a rundown of what you can recycle in Seattle’s blue bins:

Wrapping paper?

Yes.

Wrapping paper that’s just kind of shiny, but still made of paper?

Yes.

Metallic foil wrapping paper?

No. Also no for wrapping paper that is “flocked," slightly fuzzy like faux velvet.

“Those need to go in the garbage, but everything else, including tissue paper, can go in the recycling,” said Ellen Pepin-Cato, spokesperson for Seattle Public Utilities.

Bows and ribbons?

No, but why not save them and reuse them later? Otherwise, trash them.

Holiday greeting cards?

Mostly yes. (“If they have lots of plastic decorations or fabric decorations on them, they need to go in the garbage,” Pepin-Cato said.)

Sheets of bubble wrap?

No.

Packing peanuts?

No. (Pepin-Cato encourages people to take those materials to a shipping store to be reused.)

Cardboard boxes?

Yes.

But plastic packing tape on those boxes?

No. That goes in the trash.

Trees?

Seattle Public Utilities will accept Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands as yard waste for free until January 31st – just put them in or next to the yard waste bin on your regular collection day.

Take the wire and rope out of the wreaths and garlands first though. Tall trees must be cut to four-feet lengths or shorter, and all those tinsel strings, light strands, constellations of stars, angels, half-broken-hand-me-down ornaments, and other decorations must be removed.

Every area has slightly different rules for what you can recycle, so be sure to check your area’s recycling list.