Holiday reminder: what not to recycle this season in Reading

Dec 30

(2-3 minute read)

With the holiday season upon us, many Reading residents may find themselves looking to dispose of broken string lights, worn-out extension cords, used holiday light nets, or leftover wrapping materials. Before placing anything in your blue recycling cart, the Town of Reading Department of Public Works (DPW) reminds residents that several common holiday items cannot be recycled curbside and must be handled properly to avoid contamination or damage to equipment.

Non-recyclable holiday items

While festive, many seasonal materials disrupt the recycling process. The following items should not be placed in curbside recycling:

Tinsel
Ribbon and bows
Tissue paper
Wrapping paper (especially metallic, glittered, or laminated varieties)

These materials easily tangle in recycling machinery, causing equipment jams and slowing down operations at recycling facilities. All of the above items should be disposed of directly in the trash.

Where to recycle holiday lights and cords

If you are clearing out old or broken:

String lights
Extension cords
Holiday light nets

The DPW accepts these items for special drop-off recycling at the DPW garage. This option keeps electronic materials out of the waste stream and ensures proper handling.

More information

Residents can find a full list of recyclable and non-recyclable items, along with disposal guidelines, by visiting the Town’s recycling page here.

Responsible recycling helps keep the system running efficiently, protects equipment, and reduces contamination - making a difference during the busiest waste-collection seasons of the year.