Holiday recycle guide: Does wrapping paper go to the trash or not?

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - On Wednesday, dads everywhere will be making their way to the Christmas tree with their families -- but only after a stop for a trash bag and a coffee. With a little shake of the bag, the magic will happen: it's time to keep all the trash in one place. Or is it recycling?

The gifts are wrapped and tucked neatly under the tree for the millions of Americans who celebrate Christmas. Wednesday morning, that all changes - just make sure you wait for dad to get that trash bag ready,

There will be bags and boxes and wrapping paper and bows. There will be tissue paper and plastic containers. But what goes where? When all the gifts are open and the kids are settled in with their new prizes, where does that waste go?

This is your guide to what goes in the trash bin and what gets recycled.

Can you recycle wrapping paper?

It would sure be great if this was an easy answer, but here's what to know: If it's plain wrapping paper, it can be recycled.

Anything with foil or glitter attached to it is not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash along with bows and ribbons.

Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) says anything that can be torn can be recycled.

However, Priority Waste services many southeast Michigan counties and says it's better to just toss it all in the trash than to try and recycle it.

See? Not an easy answer.

Priority Waste suggests you try to save what you can and recycle it for next Christmas or your next celebration. Though that can end the fun of the wrapping paper basketball in dad's trash bag.

What is recyclable on Christmas?

SOCRRA lists the following items as all being recyclable, provided they are empty and rinsed clean:

• Aluminum trays and foil
• Rigid plastic containers
• Food boxes (egg nog, macaroni and cheese, stuffing mixes, etc)
• Flattened boxes

That means the foil container that you use to make your Christmas meal and sides are all recyclable.

You can also recycle those holiday cards – even though we know that their families look really beautiful this year.

Priority Waste does not have a holiday-specific list of recyclable items. However, the top of the bin will have the list of approved items. Also, their list of what is recyclable is similar to SOCRRA's: 

• Aluminum trays and foil
• Rigid plastic
• Empty and rinsed containers
• Flattened cardboard boxes

Are Christmas lights recyclable?

No. Both SOCRRA and Priority Waste state that strings of holiday lights are not recyclable. 

You can either drop those off for scrap metal or call a hardware store to see if they recycle them. If they still work, consider donating to a thrift store.

What else is not recyclable?

If you get a new phone or computer or tablet, don't just drop the old one in your recycling bin. 

First, wipe their memory clean of all private information. Then you can find an electronics recycling program near you. SOCRRA takes electronics but only for residents in the cities they service. You can call Priority Waste to schedule an electronics pickup: (855) WASTE 65.

Other items that you can't recycle:

• Styrofoam
• Clothes
• Grocery bags
• Unflattened cardboard boxes

Can fake Christmas trees be recycled?

If you're scoring a sweet deal on the day after Christmas to replace that old fake tree, don't put the old one in your recycling.

You can donate to a thrift store – just call first. Or if it's no longer working, it goes in the trash.