Nevada County, CA – December 20, 2025 – The holiday season brings celebration, connection, and, unfortunately, a significant spike in household waste. As North America’s leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions, WM encourages residents to “Recycle Right” this season with easy, practical steps to reduce contamination and keep recyclable materials out of landfills.

With more packaging, décor, and food waste generated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year, WM is sharing simple recycling tips and sustainability practices to help households make a positive impact throughout the holidays.

Top Holiday Recycling Tips

Wrapping Paper & Packaging

  • Recyclable: Plain paper wrapping (no glitter, foil, or plastic coatings), cardboard boxes, kraft paper, and paper bags.
  • Not Recyclable: Glittery, metallic, or plastic-coated wrapping paper; bows and ribbons (reuse when possible); bubble wrap and plastic film (dispose of in the trash unless accepted at local drop-off locations).

Greeting Cards

  • Recyclable: Plain paper greeting cards without embellishments.
  • Not Recyclable: Cards with foil, glitter, electronics, or batteries. Remove batteries and recycle them separately.

Gift Packaging & “Tanglers”

Items that can wrap around machinery should never go in recycling carts. This includes:

  • Christmas lights
  • Tinsel and garland
  • Ribbon, rope, twine, or wires

These items should be reused whenever possible or disposed of in the trash.

Ornaments & Décor

  • Glass ornaments: Not recyclable—place in the trash.
  • Plastic ornaments: Often made of mixed resins—place in the trash unless a reuse or donation option exists.

Sustainability Tips for a Greener Holiday Season

  • Choose reusable gift wrap such as fabric bags, scarves, or baskets.
  • Reduce food waste by planning meals, freezing leftovers, and composting allowable food scraps in curbside organics carts where available.
  • Buy local, shop small, and support businesses that minimize packaging.
  • Donate unwanted items—including décor, toys, and household goods—to extend their useful life.

By making small adjustments, residents can help reduce landfill waste and support a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.

Christmas Tree Recycling (Post-Season)

Local guidelines vary by community (see below). For customers with organics collection, holiday trees can be placed in curbside carts by following these steps:

  • Remove all decorations, lights, flocking, nails, and stands.
  • Cut natural trees into sections that fit fully into your organics cart with the lid closed.
    • Grass Valley: Trees must be clean and cut to fit into organics waste or waste collection carts with lids closed.
    • Nevada City: Trees must be clean and cut to fit into organics waste or waste collection carts with lids closed.
    • Nevada County: Trees must be clean and cut to fit into organics waste or waste collection carts with lids closed.

Aside from curbside disposal, customers can also drop holiday trees at the following locations:

  • Rood Center: 950 Maidu Avenue; Nevada City (12/26/25 – 2/6/26)
  • Lake Wildwood Wastewater Plant: 12622 Pleasant Valley Road; Penn Valley (1/10/26 – 1/11/26)
  • Lake of the Pines Wastewater Plant: 10803 Riata Way; Auburn (1/10/26 – 1/11/26)
  • Alta Sierra Fire Department: 11833 Tammy Way; Grass Valley (1/10/26 – 1/11/26)
  • Pioneer Park: 425 Nimrod Street; Nevada City (12/26/25 – 2/6/26)
  • Condon Park: 660 Minnie Street; Grass Valley (12/26/25 – 2/6/26)