Holiday Recycling#
Learn how to recycle your holiday waste with this guide. Looking for ways to recycle other materials? Check out our A-Z Recycling List and our curbside recycling guidelines.
For the Curbside Bin
Many holiday waste items are recyclable and can be put in your curbside recycle bin.
Recycle Elsewhere
Some items cannot go into your curbside recycle bin, but can be recycled elsewhere.
Holiday Tree Recycling#
Recycle your live Christmas tree at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees apply, contact the specific location for details.*
Be sure to remove all items from the tree before dropping off, including: lights, wire, hooks, ornaments, tinsel and fake snow.
- Timberline Recycling Center Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard: $5 entry fee plus $5 per tree
- Ewing Landscape Materials: $5 per tree
- Larimer County Landfill Green Waste Program: $5 per tree from December 26 - January 16 (limit 1 per County resident)
*Free drop-off program for trees will not be available this year. The previous drop-off locations in city parks will not be operational.
Tips to Reduce Your Holiday Waste#
Go Green with Gifts#
Consider repairing a well-loved item or shopping at thrift stores for gifts. Look for gifts with minimal or recyclable packaging and items made from recycled materials or produced locally.
Add a reusable bag, scarf, or towel to your gift, and use it as wrapping! Reuse old gift bags or wrap gifts in colorful fabric scraps, maps, comics, and posters.
Conserve Energy#
Use LED lights and put lights on timers to turn on at dusk and off at bedtime. Leaving holiday lights on for 24 hours quadruples energy costs and produces 4x more pollution!
Fill Your Plate, Not the Trash!#
The holiday season can mean even more wasted food. Save money, water and reduce climate pollution by wasting less!
- Plan meals ahead of time and buy only what you need
- Send leftovers home with guests and get creative with recipes that use leftovers
- Compost food scraps if you have them
Give the Gift of Recycling#
Give the gift of recycling: Purchase an entry certificate to the Timberline Recycling Center's Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for just $5!
For the Curbside Bin#
These items can go in your curbside recycle bin.
Wrapping Paper
Reuse wrapping paper if you can! It can also be recycled in your curbside bin, or in the Low-Grade Mixed Paper Bin (Containers #4 & #5) at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center. No metallic wrapping paper, ribbons or bows.
Tissue Paper
Reuse tissue wrapping paper if you can! It can also be recycled in your curbside recycle bin, or in the Low-Value Mixed Paper Bin (Containers #4 & #5) at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center. No tissue paper with glitter.
Cardboard
Cardboard boxes in good shape can be reused. Consider posting boxes on Craigslist, Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace for those who can reuse them.
Cardboard can also be recycled in your curbside bin, or at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center. Disposing of cardboard in the trash is illegal in Fort Collins under the 2013 Cardboard Ordinance.
Recycle Elsewhere#
These items cannot go into your curbside recycle bin, but can be recycled elsewhere at certain locations.
Batteries
Take batteries to the Timberline Recycling Center Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard or the Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
Holiday Lights & Extension Cords
Recycle strings of lights and extension cords at the City's Timberline Recycling Center or scrap metal recyclers.
Plastic Bags
Recycle clean, dry, empty, plastic bags at many grocery stores, specific retail stores, and at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center.
Styrofoam & Packing Peanuts
Styrofoam and packing peanuts can be reused or thrown in the trash.
Electronics
Disposing of electronics in the trash or in your curbside recycle bin is illegal in Colorado due to the toxicity of their components.
Cooking Oil
For a $5 entry fee, you can drop off used cooking oil in a clear, sealed container at the City’s Timberline Recycling Center Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard. Limit 5 gallons.