ReCo Pick Member Guide

Recycle Holiday Decorations

Use this guide to prepare holiday and seasonal decorations for a designated ReCo Pick collection.

Holiday and seasonal decorations accepted by The ReCollective

Give holiday decor another life

Holiday decorations are often used for only a few weeks each year, but many can stay useful for much longer. The ReCollective collects seasonal decor for reuse and responsible recycling through local community partners.

What to include

Accepted Holiday Decorations

Holiday and seasonal decorations for all holidays are welcome.

Accepted

  • Ornaments
  • Tabletop decorations
  • Wall hangings
  • String lights, working or not
  • Other holiday and seasonal decorations
  • Decorations for all holidays throughout the year

Please Leave Out

  • Broken decorations with sharp edges
  • Loose sharp or hazardous pieces
  • Items that cannot be safely contained in the ReCo Pick bag
Exception: Broken string lights are accepted.
Where it goes

Place Holiday Decor in Your ReCo Pick Bag

Put approved holiday decorations inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag for collection. Keep loose pieces contained so the bag can be safely handled and sorted.

Before your pickup

How to Prepare Holiday Decorations

Check for Damage

Leave out broken or sharp decorations that could puncture the bag or create a handling hazard. Broken string lights are okay.

Keep Pieces Together

Keep small ornaments, hooks, and loose decorative pieces together so they stay contained during collection and sorting.

Use the ReCo Pick Bag

Place the prepared decorations inside your canvas ReCo Pick bag and return the bag with your regular ReCo pickup.

The ReCollective warehouse in Durham where holiday decorations are sorted
After collection

What Happens to Holiday Decorations?

Holiday decorations return to The ReCollective’s Durham warehouse, where they are sorted and prepared for reuse or recycling through local community partners.

1

Sort: Decorations are reviewed and organized by type and condition.

2

Reuse: Usable decorations can be shared with community organizations, artists, teachers, and other local reuse outlets.

3

Recycle: Items that are not reusable are directed to appropriate recycling options when available.

Local reuse partner: The Scrap Exchange, along with local artists and teachers, helps give useful materials another life.

ReCo Pick Reminders

Standard monthly members Set out holiday decorations only during a month when Holiday Decorations is featured as a ReCo Pick.
Almost Anything Plan members You may place approved holiday decorations in your ReCo Pick bag during any monthly pickup.
Keep items safely contained Holiday decorations should be placed inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag for collection.
Return all canvas bags Return all of your canvas bags each time you set out recycling so the team can provide a complete replacement kit.
Related information

Related Recycling Guides

Light bulb recycling guide Recycling guide Light Bulbs View guide Battery recycling guide Recycling guide Batteries View guide Electronics recycling guide Recycling guide Electronics View guide Clothing and textile recycling guide Recycling guide Clothing & Textiles View guide
Service information

Local Pickup & Mailback

City page Durham View local information City page Raleigh View local information City page Cary View local information City page Chapel Hill & Carrboro View local information Mailback option Almost Anything Bag View mailback information