Seasonal
Christmas cards
greeting cards, xmas cards, holiday cards, festive cards
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Sometimes — plain paper cards recycle with your paper, but cards with glitter or foil aren't recyclable and go in general waste.
How to prepare
1. Remove any badges, ribbons, or battery inserts from musical cards. 2. Separate plain paper cards from glittery or foiled ones. 3. Recycle plain cards with your paper and card. 4. Put glitter- or foil-covered cards in general waste.
Common mistakes
Recycling glittery or foil-coated cards, which contaminate paper recycling. Leaving plastic or battery inserts in musical cards. Binning plain cards that could be reused as gift tags.
What happens after you recycle it?
Recycled cards are pulped with other paper and pressed into new card and paper products; reused cards become next year's gift tags.
Drop-off guidance
Plain paper cards go in your curbside paper and card recycling. Some stores and charities run seasonal card collection and reuse schemes after the holidays.
FAQs
Can I recycle Christmas cards?
Plain paper cards, yes — recycle them with your paper. Cards with glitter or foil aren't recyclable and go in general waste.
Where can I recycle Christmas cards near me?
Use the lookup above. Plain cards go in curbside paper recycling, and seasonal store collection schemes appear after the holidays.
Is it free to recycle Christmas cards?
Yes. Curbside paper recycling and store card schemes are free to use.
Can I get paid to recycle Christmas cards?
No. There's no payment for old cards, but recycling or reusing them as gift tags is free.
