Is Christmas Wrapping Paper Recyclable? What You Need to Know

Tis the season! Pretty soon, many Hudson Valley living rooms will be full of little smiling faces thrilled with their holiday wishlist items, and parents holding garbage bags full of wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags and tape begging their kids to get the garbage IN the bag.

How's this for a throwback.

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After all the gifts have been opened, the messes cleaned up, just what can go in the recycle bin and what needs to be put in the trash? Here's what to know.

Recyclable Christmas Wrapping Items: What Goes in the Bin

I'll admit i'm totally guilty of recycling things that you apparently aren't supposed to. Not that I did it on purpose or anything, I guess I just didn't realize the rules for recycling.

John Mcallister

Dutchess County Government has shared some helpful information for navigating all the gift wrap, and the first sentence of their announcement advises to 'skip the plastic trash bag' - oops. They advise that any plain wrapping paper, so that without any glitter, foil or metallic finishes can be put in a paper bag or cardboard box and go straight into the recycle bin.

Keep in mind that tissue paper, foam packaging, packing peanuts, ribbons, bows, string lights, and any metallic, glittery, or foil-lined gift bags or cards are not recyclable.

Oops number two for me is tissue paper, I always assumed that was safe to recycle but it looks like that should be put into the regular garbage rather than the recycle bin, along with any cards that contain glitter or metallic elements (that would be oops number three for those keeping track at home).

Plain cardboard boxes and any plain gift bags can of course be reused, or put into the recycle bin if you're done with them.

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For the complete yes and no list shared by DC Government, click here - happy gifting!

8 Things You Didn't Know You Could Recycle In Dutchess County, NY

There have been plenty of times where I have questioned if and where I could recycle household and random items.

If you're also wondering if and where you can recycle batteries, certain electronics, light bulbs and more, Dutchess County, NY's guide will explain more.

According to the Dutchess County, NY Government and their Division of Solid Waste Management's Recycling Encyclopedia, the following information is about what can be recycled in Dutchess County, NY.

Gallery Credit: Allison Kay

25 Surprising Items You Can’t Recycle—And Why

Recycling rules can be confusing—some everyday items you might toss in the bin actually belong in the trash (or even better, at a special drop‑off). Here are 25 common items that don’t belong in your curbside recycling.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams