Need Help Cleaning Up After the Holidays?

Last updated on December 26, 2025 at 12:01 AM

Cleaning up after the holiday is a big task, but we can help!

Tis the season for joy, not for overflowing landfills! City of Waco Solid Waste can help you dispose of your leftover holiday materials responsibly!

What to Recycle

• Most wrapping paper and gift bags are recyclable. Give your wrapping paper a “scrunch test”! If it stays scrunched, it’s likely recyclable. If the paper has metal, wax, velvet or glitter, toss it in the trash (or reuse it if you can!)
• Cardboard boxes and packaging can go in your blue recycling bin. Be sure the boxes are empty and flattened.
• Natural wreaths, mistletoe, holly, and other natural decorations can go in your green bin. Be sure to leave out any hooks, ribbons, or other artificial components.
• Try to buy smart for next year by thinking about what can be reused or recycled ahead of time. Use plain paper bags and wrapping paper to get the most bang for your buck!

What NOT to Recycle

• Glass, plastic, and metal are generally recyclable. However, when they’re all together as Christmas lights, they’re not. Strings of lights can cause major problems for recycling, so put those in the gray bin.
• If you’ve got broken or damaged ornaments, those go in the gray trash bin. Tinsel, too.
• If you’re tossing decorations to change your aesthetic, consider donating them instead.
• Since many holiday decorations aren’t recyclable, we encourage you to reuse ornaments, lights, and other decorations from year to year instead of refreshing your holiday décor each year. You might even establish some new family traditions.
• Paper, gift bags, and ribbon can also be reused at different holidays throughout the year!

Artificial Christmas Trees

If you’re getting rid of an artificial tree, you can schedule a curbside bulky waste pickup. Remember to remove all the decorations from your tree before putting it on the curb. Residential City of Waco utility customers can receive one bulky waste pickup per month.

Request Bulky Waste Pick Up

Natural Christmas Trees

Chipping of the Green

If you have a real Christmas tree on your hands, bring it to the Chipping of the Green event, and our Parks & Recreation crew can mulch it for you. Join us from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Cobbs Recycling Center, 4201 Trice Ave. The event is free and open to everyone. Remember to clear all the decorations on your tree before arriving to the event. City of Waco staff will be available to help you unload the tree from your vehicles.

Chipping of the Green

Curbside Pickup

If you can't make it to the event, City of Waco Solid Waste can pick up natural Christmas trees from your curb on any green week in January. Remember to remove all the decorations from the tree and place it at your curb before 7 a.m. on your regular pickup day.

Trash Pick Up Schedule