From wrapping paper to product packaging, the winter holiday season creates an increase of trash. The amount of waste sent to the landfill can be reduced by recycling and re-using materials whenever possible. Follow these guidelines to keep recyclable items out of the landfill this holiday season:

Holiday Materials
Many holiday wrapping and greeting materials can be recycled. Recycle the following items curbside or at the Coralville Recycling Center, 950 Hughes Street:

• Cardboard wrapping paper tubes
• Paper holiday cards and envelopes (remove embellishments; cards/envelopes embossed with foil and other non-paper items are not recyclable)
• Paper shopping bags (remove non-paper handles and grommets)
• Tissue paper (tissue paper with glitter or other non-paper items is not recyclable)
• Corrugated cardboard (flatten into 2’ x 3’ sections and place under your recycling bin; corrugated cardboard is banned from the landfill)

Tip: Reuse holiday ribbons, bows, gift bags, tissue paper, and wrapping paper when possible, and wrap gifts in re-usable materials, tins, cloth bags, or baskets. Choose recyclable gift wrap when possible. 

Not Recyclable
Place items that are not recyclable in your garbage, or reuse them:

• Gift wrap and packing paper
• Styrofoam, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap
• Traditional bows, ribbons, and gift tags
• Photo greeting cards
• Artificial Christmas trees (if you must be throw away an artificial Christmas tree, break it down to fit in your trash cart)

Holiday Lights
Drop off holiday lights through January 9, 2023, at any drop-off holiday light recycling location throughout the Coralville and Iowa City area. How to recycle holiday lights

Holiday Trees
The Coralville Solid Waste Department will collect live holiday trees, wreaths, and greenery throughout the month of January. 

Electronics & Appliances
Holiday gifts can mean "out with the old and in with the new" when it comes to electronics and appliances. Try to keep working items out of the landfill by donating them whenever possible. Electronics and appliances that need to be discarded are picked up by appointment, and do not go in the trash. How to dispose of appliances and electronics

Batteries
If you have household batteries to get rid of, don’t throw them away – they can be recycled. There are a number of battery drop-off locations throughout the Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty area, including a battery drop-off at the Coralville Recreation Center.  Where to recycle batteries