Recycling the Holiday Aftermath

If you're like many Americans, you may not really deal with the Christmas and holiday aftermath until the new year. New presents may not have been put away, decorations might remain up to after the New Year holiday, and holiday greeting cards might line the mantle well into January.

There's no doubt the holiday aftermath can be overwhelming once the holiday glow has worn off and replaced with a healthy dose of holiday consumption guilt. Not to worry.

What follows is an easy guide to help you find the appropriate way to recycle even those unwanted gifts.

• Gift Wastepaper and Packaging: Most immediately you may have an a couple of left over overflowing bags of paper and plastic from all those goodies from Santa's sack. If you recycle bin is too full, remember you can visit a local recycling center or depository often located in the parking lot of your local supermarket. Heavily metallic papers may be a no-no for the recycling center, but if you shred them first in a paper shredder you may be able to avoid having to remove the shiny paper from the recycling bin to the trash can.
• Holiday Cards: Consider saving the Christmas and holiday cards instead of tossing them. The pictures are fun for kids to cut out and collage with. Better yet--have them decorate a box with the old pictures to help them store all their new goodies. No kids around? Most holiday cards are recyclable as well.
• Unwanted Gifts: Okay, so maybe you scored some awesome stuff--like a Wii, or a Flip--but somewhere in the mix you also got some awful smelling perfume, or a bright orange sweater a few sizes too big or small. Don't hide it away, or throw it out. Think about throwing a White Elephant Gift exchange before the season is offer. Gather your friends and have them bring their unwanted gifts, and then do an exchange. You might be surprised and end up with something wanted or useful. Want to make sure someone can really use that gift? Check out a freecycle site. These sites were created specifically so folks could post unwanted free gifts and for other locals to claim to keep good stuff out of landfills.
• Peanuts of the Foam Variety: Did some of your shopping this year online thanks to Savings.com? End up with a large stash of foam peanuts? Local shipping stores will usually take the foam peanuts back and reuse the CFC-filled nasties.
  
• Recycle that Christmas Tree: If you went with a real tree this year, make sure it gets recycled. Some neighborhoods with yard waste collection with take trees for recycling purposes if you cut the tree into small pieces. Got a friend with a compost pile? Maybe they will be willing to take your tree on...Waste collection in areas of Los Angeles will recycle your tree if you leave it curbside up until January 16th. Try googling info for tree recycling in your area--or pick up the phone and call your local waste collection service to see if tree recycling will be offered.

With New Year's Eve right around the corner think about going green for your party. Use some of your Christmas waste to make your own New Year's hats and confetti instead of buying new. Ask your friends to bring green beverages. Check out these organic cocktail recipes for inspiration. Finally, if you had too many empty bottles to fit in that recycle bin, use some of them as candle holders for the New Year's Eve celebration.

Got any ideas for recycling holiday party waste? Leave us a comment below! And make sure to check out our weekly green deal list and follow me @CoupieSavings for great fashion deals.