It's the day after Christmas and all through the house, your place is littered with gift boxes, from your feet to your mouth.
Did you know during Christmas season the average American produces up to 25% more trash? Those gift boxes, wrapping paper and decorations add up quickly to, well, a whole lot of junk.
Not sure what to do with all that trash? Here's what you can actually toss in the recycling bin and what you can't.
Artificial Christmas Trees
Not recyclable. Because they're a mixture of metal, wire and plastic, these fake trees aren't going to be recyclable when you're finally done with them, says Kreigh Hampel of the Burbank Recycling Center. "Those are really difficult to separate and make any sense of so those go into the trash."
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Wrapping Paper
May be recyclable. If it's just plain white wrapping paper, it's recyclable. But let's be honest... how many of us are wrapping our holiday presents like that? If you're using the more common glitzed out multi-colored foil it's probably not.
Christmas Bows
Nope. If the paper itself isn't a problem then those self-adhesive pads on the back will make them a no-go.
Ornaments
No way. "It's not gonna work," is Hampel's blunt assessment.
Artificial Plastic Snow
Don't be silly.
Christmas Lights
Surprise. These actually can be recycled. Made from copper, glass, and plastic — these materials can actually be recycled and reclaimed.