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Recycle the holidays

Information about recycling holiday-related items.

Recycle your lights

If you buy new energy-efficient holiday lights, ask your retailer if they will accept your old lights. For more information and recycling locations, visit our holiday lights recycling page.

A string of holiday lights on an orange background

Recycle your wrapping paper

Most wrapping paper can be recycled in your home recycling container. A little tape is fine, but remove the big pieces. Consider saving reusable wrapping paper, along with ribbons and bows. Glittery paper and ribbons you can't use again should go in the garbage.

A pile of multi-colored wrapping paper

Recycle your gadgets

Recycle electronics at a Take it Back Network location. They will take back products such as computers, TVs, cell phones and certain other household electronics. You can recycle computers, monitors, TVs and e-readers for free at E-Cycle Washington locations.

A phone laying diagonally on top of a tablet with white trim laying on top of a green blanket

Recycle your tree

By recycling your Christmas tree, you'll give it new life as wood chips or compost.

A pile of evergreen trees laying on their side in the snow next to a road

Recycle Styrofoam blocks and packing peanuts

Styrofoam (polystyrene) packing materials cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling cart. At a few locations in King County, some of them seasonal, you can drop off Styrofoam blocks or peanuts for recycling or reuse. For locations, check with your city’s recycling program, or check King County’s What do I do with…? website.

Different shapes and styles of Styrofoam products
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