No Grinches Here: Go Green this Holiday by Recycling Right

Christmas trees being recycled at a Mecklenburg County recycling center.

The holiday season brings with it lots of good tidings and cheer – as well as lots of trash. Statistics show Americans toss more than 25% more trash from Thanksgiving to New Years. Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling invites residents to keep holiday waste out of the landfill by dropping off approved items at Enhanced Recycling Centers.

Residents can drop off the following at full-service or staffed recycling centers:  

  • Christmas trees (without any decorations): Residents may drop off up to two natural Christmas trees at no cost. Residents can dispose of one artificial tree for free. Watch how Christmas trees are composted.
  • Natural wreaths (without any decorations): These are considered yard waste.  
  • Plain wrapping paper and cards (no glitter or foil)
  • Cardboard
    White rigid foam, commonly found in packaging for TVs and electronics  
  • Textiles, including clothing, shoes, accessories, pillows, sheets and towels  
  • Food scraps (free of packaging and containers): If it’s edible, it’s acceptable!

Not all holiday and household items are recyclable. These items should be placed in the trash or repurposed:  

  • Ribbons and bows  
  • Decorative wrapping paper or gift bags (glossy, metallic, with glitter, etc.)  
  • Plastic packaging (other than white rigid foam)

Some of the season’s most popular gifts – electronics, children’s toys, e-bikes/scooters, power tools – contain rechargeable batteries. Residents should drop off any items containing these batteries or the batteries themselves to full-service or staffed recycling centers. These batteries can catch on fire and should never be placed in the trash or recycling bins.

Residents can drop items off at:   

Centers will close Christmas Eve at 1 p.m. Centers will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan.1, 2026. For more information and hours of operation, visit WipeOutWaste.MeckNC.gov.