What to do with all that holiday waste

Once all the gifts are unwrapped and the leftovers have been packed away in the fridge, all that’s left is the trash.

Those post-holiday collection days can look like: mountains of bags filled with ripped wrapping paper, bows, bags and boxes.

The Region of Waterloo is hoping that with a little planning, people can help divert some of that holiday waste away from the landfill.

“The best approach is to use reusable bags or boxes that can be used throughout the years. But, if you do have plastic decorations like ribbons, bows or glitter boxes, unfortunately, those go in the garbage,” said Deanna Dakin, Supervisor of Projects and Policy, Waste Management, Region of Waterloo.

But that will change in the new year. New materials will be accepted in the blue box starting on Jan. 1, according to a statement from Circular Materials, the region’s recycling provider.

“Wrapping paper is a designated material under Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation, and as such, residents can place all types of wrapping paper or gift bags in their recycling for collection as of January 1, 2026. They should recycle this material as they would any other kind of paper – flattened and placed loose in their blue bin or cart.”

The statement goes on to say that removing tape, foil, glitter or other decorative elements like ribbons or string, is helpful but not required. It may be worthwhile to hold onto those bags of wrapping paper for collection in the new year.

Trees, garlands and poinsettia

When it comes to other decorations, natural Christmas trees, for example, Dakin said the region has you covered.

“We offer two weeks of collection for natural Christmas trees in the new year, from January 5 to January 16 on your regular collection day,” Dakin said. She went on to say to make sure the tree is bare before putting it out for collection.

“It is very important to remove the plastic bag and the stand after placing it at the curb.”

If, for some reason, you miss the tree collection, Dakin said the trees can be dropped off at a transfer station, or you can hold onto them until the spring yard waste collection comes around.

Dakin also wanted to remind people that the region’s compost program can help cut down on waste headed to landfills.

“We take peanut shells or other nut shells in the green bin. Paper plates and paper napkins can also be added, but stay away from those plastic plates. Vegetable peelings, seafood, bones and shells can also be added. Your poinsettia plant and small amounts of Christmas greenery can also be added to the green bin.”

Because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall midweek this year, it will mean some adjustments to the collection schedule for those two weeks. If your collection day is normally on Thursday, it will be pushed to Friday, and if your regular pick-up day is Friday, you’ll need to put your bins out on Saturday.

The Region of Waterloo has provided a host of information about the changes coming to waste management in 2026 on its website.