4 blue bins

7 Ways to Make Your Holiday Recycling the Smartest Ever

Christmas gift-giving and feasting often mean that the garbage bins are overflowing come the New Year. Make the holiday season a little easier on the planet with these smart recycling tips. (And don’t forget, you can recycle many surprising items at London Drugs—check out our comprehensive list.)

1. Wrap with care: Much of the shiny or laminated giftwrap available is not recyclable. Pick greener options like reusable gift bags, newsprint or a commercially available recyclable option.
2. Break it down: If presents are arriving by mail, be sure to break down the boxes right away to save space and make recycling easy.
3. Process your paper: If you’re using paper plates, cups or napkins, make sure your options are recyclable or compostable. (Bonus: makes post-party clean-up a snap!)
4. Make it easy: Put a recycling bin right by the tree to collect material on Christmas morning.
5. Clean only as much as you need: Get the last tablespoon of peanut butter out of there, but you don’t need to run the jar through the dishwasher.
6. Purge plastics carefully: Remember, many municipalities can’t recycle plastic bags or collect them separately. Be sure to check which plastics can go to the blue box, and which are a big no-no.
7. There are other ways to recycle: Many gifts and toys can’t be recycled. Keep the giving spirit going – donate these unwanted items to a good cause.

[More at The Guardian]