Christmas tree and holiday recycling guide

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Holiday Waste: Recycle or Toss?

Holiday Waste Recycle Guide

Many holiday waste items belong in the trash instead of the recycling. Download and print our Holiday Waste Recycle Guide (PDF) to learn how to sort holiday waste correctly!

Recycling questions? Use our What Do I Do With It? search or email solidwaste@co.kitsap.wa.us. We are here to help.

holiday waste recycle guide

Drop-off sites for Christmas trees and more

Christmas tree recycling: Visit our Treecycle page to find a convenient drop-off location or pick-up fundraiser.

String lights: Take your string lights to a free light collection site so the metal can be recycled! Never put string lights in your recycling bin; they tangle in the sorting machines.

Styrofoam: On December 28, take your styrofoam packaging to our free collection event at the fairgrounds. Never put styrofoam in your recycling bin; it is a contaminant that harms the recycling system.

Plastic bags and film: Thin plastic bags and film can be recycled in the take-back bins at local grocery stores. Never put bags in your recycling bin; they tangle in the sorting machines.

TVs and computers: Free recycling for TVs and computers is available at E-Cycle Washington sites across Kitsap. The rare metals and hazardous materials inside means these electronics cannot go in the trash.

Cooking oil: Take cooking oil to a free cooking oil recycling site and put cold grease & fat in the trash. Oil and grease from food preparation can build up in pipes and lead to sewage backups, expensive plumbing bills, and pollution in Puget Sound.

 

Christmas Tree

Three easy ways to reduce holiday waste

Is your family trying to reduce the waste you create? Here are three easy ways to do it this holiday season:

  • Wrap with reusable gift bags instead of single-use wrapping paper.
  • Use this (genius) "Guest-imator" dinner planner calculator to prepare the right amount of party food. Made too much? Use the interactive food storage guide to keep leftovers fresh.
  • Balance your giving to include experiences (movies, classes, massages, special meals), not just stuff
guestimator social holidays

What to do with extra trash and recyclables

Have extra bags of trash or recycling after a holiday celebration? These instructions are for you!

If extra trash or recycling is more than a rare occurrence, please upgrade your service or take the items to a waste and recycling facility.

Santa in sunglasses

Extra Recyclables

Don't bag recyclables or put them out in cardboard boxes. Bagged recyclables will be collected as garbage, and recyclables in boxes often get too wet to recycle. Follow the instructions provided by your hauler:

  • Waste Management customers should follow these extra recyclables instructions. 

  • Bainbridge Disposal customers in Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island should contact Bainbridge Disposal to add a second recycling bin.

Extra Trash