Your Holiday Disposal Guide

GARBAGE 

(Bolded items with * are easy to DONATE and REUSE)

• Fancy wrapping paper* (anything with foils, glitter, holographic, etc.) — flatten these and save to use them again! 

• Bows and ribbons* — these can easily be reused for future gifting.

• Fancy gift boxes and bags* (glitter, foils, etc.) — same here, use for future gifting! 

• Fancy greeting cards* — save these to repurpose for future gift tags, or postcards.

• Tissue Paper and Cellophane* — flatten these and use them again in the future

• Paper and plastic plates, cups and other eating utensils

• Plastic packaging — make sure to check the plastic # and your local recycling guidelines! Minneapolis accepts #1, 2, 5 but does not accept #3, 4, 6, 7 and black plastic. Plastics that are not accepted should be trashed or you can find alternative collection/drop-off options.

• Toys*

• Decorations* (garlands, wreaths, artificial trees, etc.)

SPECIAL

COMPOST

• Food waste

• Cardboard and plain papers

• Natural fibers like cotton, twine, etc.

SPECIAL COLLECTION OR DROP-OFF

• Real trees — check with your city for special collection, or look for drop-off locations after the New Years

• Lights — these CANNOT go in your garbage bin as it can tangle and damage machinery. Make sure to look up special drop-offs for holiday lighting. 

• Batteries — also cannot go in your garbage. Collect these safely and drop off at collection points. 

• Plastic Bags — cannot be recycled. We recommend collecting these and dropping off at recycling points commonly at grocery stores. 

• Electronics — do not toss these in your curbside bins! Electronics need special recycling to ensure it’s fully recovered. Look for local electronics recycling facilities to drop off at.