Recycling Education
CAN I RECYCLE GIFT WRAPPING?
We know this time of year often sees loads of gifts - for teachers, friends, coworkers, and family. But what about all that wrapping? Can it be recycled? Probably not... BUT WAIT!
CAN IT BE REUSED?! Likely YES!
WRAPPING PAPER: If it has any "bling" or shine (from glitter, foil, or plastic lamination to make it shiny), it's NOT recyclable. You can also do a "scrunch test" - if it stays in a ball after being scrunched (and has no bling or shine), it may be recyclable. SOME FACILITIES DO NOT ACCEPT ANY GIFT WRAP IN PAPER RECYCLING - this is because it's easy for wrapping paper to contaminate a load. If you have a gentle unwrapper, you could potentially reuse wrapping paper, though we know that's pretty *extra* 
GIFT BAGS & TISSUE PAPER: Unless you have plain brown paper bags and remove the handles, gift bags are NOT recyclable. Tissue paper's fibers are already so short it cannot be processed. Save gift bags and tissue paper for future gifting (or if they are in bad shape, they should go in the trash.) BOTH GIFT BAGS & TISSUE PAPER ARE EASILY REUSABLE!!! 
RIBBONS & BOWS: These are NOT recyclable. SAVE THEM FOR REUSE NEXT YEAR (or if they are severely damaged beyond repair and cannot be reused, they should go in the trash.)This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service. Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc., is an equal opportunity provider and employer.