Wrapping paper alone is a $7 billion business during the holidays. The unfortunate fact of wrapping paper is that although it has the word “paper” in its name, most of it is not recyclable and it ends up in the landfill. There are many items that we will be receiving this holiday season as far as packages and deliveries that we can recycle. The breakdown of all of these items as follows:

Wrapped gift boxes: We can recycle the gift box, the plain tissue paper and the plain wrapping paper. We cannot recycle wrapping paper with glitter (glitter is actually a form of plastic), extra tape or foil. We cannot recycle ribbons or bows, tags or bubble wrap. These items are all trash.

Padded envelopes: These brown envelopes are padded either with more paper or with bubble wrap. If it is all paper, we can recycle it. If it has bubble wrap in it, we cannot recycle it unless you want to pull the bubble wrap out of the envelope. We also cannot recycle plastic shipping envelopes or plastic air packs. These are trash too.

Shipping boxes: As many of us now order from online stores, cardboard boxes are all recyclable. Please break them down and flatten them to save room not only in your curbside cart but also in the community recycling containers located throughout the county. Packing peanuts and Styrofoam are not recyclable in curbside carts or community recycling containers. Please call us for alternative disposal for these two items, otherwise, Styrofoam and packing peanuts are trash.

Paper envelopes: We may still receive some cards in the mail from family and friends. Paper cards, the envelope as well as junk mail and any bill inserts are all recyclable. Do not recycle cards that have a lot of glitter or foil on them or have button batteries in them. The button batteries should be pulled out and brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Gift bags: Gift bags are recyclable but we need to cut the handle off and throw the handle away. The tissue paper can be recycled. Any other kind of plastic bag that a gift may come in (even if it says it is recyclable) is not recyclable in our system and should be thrown away.

Toys and gifts: The hard plastic that often surrounds toys is not recyclable and should be thrown away. The only plastic items that we can recycle in Lyon County are those that used to be a food container (sour cream containers, ketchup bottles, etc.) or personal care container (laundry or hair soap containers, etc.).

Toys are also not recyclable in Lyon County even if they are made out of plastic. If in good shape, they can be donated. For those who are looking to find somewhere to dispose of plastic toys or games that are missing pieces, look to Terracycle. Hasbro, through Terracycle, has a free toy recycling program for toys or games that are broken or missing pieces.

Electronics such as televisions, computers, iPad, DVD players and much more can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Marshall for proper disposal. These cannot go into the curbside carts or community containers. It is illegal to throw electronics into the trash. There may be a fee for some items.

Decorations such as Christmas lights, bulbs, artificial trees or real trees have to be handled in a different way and none of these items are recyclable. Christmas lights can be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility or Goodwill free all year long. Bulbs and artificial trees are trash. Real Christmas trees should be composted.

Think creatively (use scarves or craft paper) about how to wrap gifts to decrease what is sent to the landfill this holiday season. For more information on disposal and recycling questions, call us at the Lyon County Environmental Department at (507) 532-8210.