It’s the holly jolly season and also the collecting season of our heartfelt messages wrapped up in glitter and beautiful illustrations. While we keep these messages to remember the festive spirit of previous Christmases, it also contributes to piling and taking up our storage.
This mountain of old Christmas cards piled up high, each telling the tale of that christmas period. But what happens when this treasure turns into taking up your storage and contributing to environmental waste? The answer comes from the world of recycling.
Then comes the question, “Can you recycle Christmas cards?” Well sure you can! Let’s look into ways you can recycle these as well as not lose the merry spirit!
1. What Is A Christmas Card?
A Christmas card is a traditional form of greeting that is usually exchanged during the Christmas holidays. It can be either made of cardstock or paper consisting of illustrations, artwork, and festive designs.
A Christmas card can be personalized for family and friends. Usually, families may add customized messages or family photos and send them to their extended relatives to convey heartwarming wishes for Christmas. You can also buy general cards from the store and add a personal touch to it.
Christmas cards vary in designs, colors, and themes such as having a Santa Claus, or a reindeer, or a Christmas tree.
The exchange of Christmas cards dates back to the 19th century and continues to be a way for everyone to stay connected and share the joy of the seasons with their loved ones.
2. Elements Of Christmas Cards
Before knowing which materials can be recycled or not, let us look into the different elements that a Christmas card includes:
- Paper or Card stock – The main body of the card is usually made out of paper or cardstock. It is on this that the families stick or add designs and photos.
- Illustrations – Illustrations are the symbols or themes of Christmas that are added on the front of the card. These could either be printed or drawn. Other decorative elements such as glitter, foil, or embossing can also be added.
- Decorative elements – Decoration is not just glitter, foil, or embossing, but includes any kind of plastic decorations such as foam/3D elements, fabrics such as ribbons or buttons, and wax seals can also be added to the cards.
- Greetings – Greetings such as “Happy Holiday”, “Merry Christmas”, etc. are usually written or printed inside the card. It can also include personal messages that the person may wish to convey to their loved ones.
- Religious Symbols – In religious-themed cards, symbols such as nativity scenes or religious messages can be included.
- Envelopes – And finally an envelope, in which the cards are mailed to the loved ones. It will consist of the address where it is supposed to be delivered.
3. Which Are Recyclable And Non-Recyclable?
Out of all these materials, which are recycled materials and which are not?
While the primary materials such as paper, cardstock, or envelopes can be easily recycled, the other materials which give the christmas card the fancy look are non-recyclable.
Paper, cardstock, and envelopes can be recycled only after all the decorative elements or plastic covering, if any, is removed.
The ink used on the cards, printed or written, is also recyclable.
The decorative items put on the christmas cards such as the religious symbols, glitter, metallic foils, or plastic coatings that are put to give the card the glossy effect are non-recyclable. They make the recycling process difficult and hence should be removed before recycling the cards.
3.1 Are All Cards Recyclable?
Afraid not! All cards cannot be recycled.
Most cards are simpler and are mostly printed with designs or symbols can be easily recycled.
However, Christmas cards with decorative elements that contain metal, plastic, ribbon, wax, or fabric would require an extra step to recycle. That is, to remove all these elements from the card and then be put for recycling.
4. Can You Recycle Christmas Cards?
Now that we know the answer to our question, “Can you recycle Christmas cards?” What are the many methods for recycling them? is the next question that comes up.
There are three ways to use these Christmas cards.
4.1 Upcycle Them
It is not necessary to throw away these cards in the recycle bin! Instead, transform these cards into upcycled creations, which not only reduce the waste but also add a personal touch to celebrations. You can use the elements on the cards and create a garland, a gift tag, a gift box, postcards, etc. The possibilities are endless! You can be creative and use the elements for different purposes, including the cardstock as well!
4.2 Recycle Them
And of course, the next best thing to do is recycle them. Recycling Christmas cards is an eco-friendly method to embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season.
Paper-based cards and envelopes can be easily recycled by putting them in the recycling bin. But do not forget to remove any non-paper items before putting them in the bin.
You can either recycle them in paper, cardboard, or dry mixed recycling bins. In case you do not have household waste recycling centers near your home, you can always go to the nearby supermarkets that have specific bins for recycling items.
Make sure to properly dispose of them in the recycling bins, so that they can be converted into new paper products.
4.3 Use The Stamps
The Christmas cards or the envelopes generally consist of a stamp. Instead of recycling it along with the card or the envelope, cut out the stamp and start collecting them.
The stamps can be arranged on a blank canvas and a collage can be made out of it or it can even be used as a border for the picture frames to highlight their intricate design.
Nonetheless, you can always have a stamp collection or donate them to charities for a better cause!
5. Be Creative This Season With Cards
‘Tis the damn season to be creative! So how about we be creative with used Christmas cards? Here are a few ways you can use the old cards instead of recycling them:
5.1 Gift Tags
Simply cut out the pretty illustrations from your card, simply punch a hole in them, and tie a ribbon to make it into a Christmassy gift tag!
5.2 Coasters
The cards can be cut out into different shapes and used as coasters to add to that festive joy.
5.3 Collage
Cutting out the printed decorations from different cards and sticking them together to make a picture frame, will put you in the Christmas mood!
5.4 Garlands
The 3D decorations or metallic foils can be sewn together to make a Christmas garland. You can also sew it up for the New Year’s party!
5.5 Bookmarks
For the reader and Christmas enthusiasts, Christmas card decorations are just for you! Cut out some elements and turn them into a beautiful bookmark.
5.6 Ornaments
Simply convert your cards in circles and a few folds to convert them into 3D paper baubles! This will also save up extra cash for buying new ornaments!
5.7 Puzzle
Creating a puzzle out of these cards is just what you want for your kids. Cut each card into thin little strips and glue them to lolly sticks. Mix them up and make your little ones compete on who can find and complete the puzzle quickly!
5.8 Star Wreath
Cut out stars, small and big size from the Christmas cards and glue them together to make a star wreath! Put up the wreaths in your living room or bedroom to give you that festive feel.
5.9 Pine Cones
Convert the cards into paper pine cones and hang them on the front doors to turn your Christmas decorations into New Year’s!
5.10 Plant Them!
That is correct! You can even plant your Christmas cards and help your environment. However, the card should be made of seed paper. This way, you can bury your card under the soil and give them water.
6. Christmas Cards Disposal Impact On The Environment
Holiday seasons always come with a consequence: waste generation. Be it Thanksgiving or Easter, the huge spike of greeting cards always generate waste and contribute to landfills.
There is not only disposing of the wrapping paper or cards, but the decorations as well as the uneaten food adding up to increasing waste.
The environment takes a toll during the holiday season. The excessive use of resources in production, packaging, and transportation increases greenhouse gas emissions. Even disposal of non-recyclable waste results in water as well as soil contamination.
Therefore, each one of us must be aware of the consequences and make informed choices.
Amid all this, it is we who have to provide a sustainable environment not only for our future but to also live in the present.
We should engage in choices and decisions that would significantly reduce our ecological footprint during the holiday seasons. We should also share the eco-friendly practices with our near and dear ones which leads to a community of environmentally conscious individuals.
After all, the holiday seasons are the reason for togetherness.
7. Eco-Friendly Options For Recycling Christmas Cards
Recycling Christmas cards will not only clear up the storage but can also help the environment.
Because of the material’s sustainability, the cards can be turned into new paper and cardstock for the next holiday season! Not only that, but it also saves on the materials and energy required to make new cards.
Improper disposing of these cards can also contribute to landfill waste. Hence, recycling saved up the money on the landfill tax.
Mailing these cards over long distances can contribute to carbon emissions. Therefore, there should be alternate ways taken into consideration that are eco-friendly. Let us look into a few.
Firstly, to avoid carbon emissions, one can also switch over to E-cards or digital greetings.
Secondly, always choose recyclable cards, such as seed paper, and minimize the use of non-recyclable elements like glitter, plastic, or metallic.
Thirdly, go for more sustainable practices. Use cards from the companies that produce cards prioritizing eco-friendly practices. You can also buy cards from local artisans that have a lower environmental footprint.
And finally, one can always upcycle. Reuse the materials of the cards in different DIY projects.
8. Can Wrapping Paper Be Recycled?
With Christmas cards, come Christmas gifts. And with Christmas gifts, come gift wrappers. We usually throw out the wrapping paper, however for having an eco-friendly environment we can recycle the wrapping paper as well.
8.1 Recyclable And Non-Recyclable Wrapping Paper
Just like cards, wrapping paper can also be divided into recyclable and non-recyclable.
A recyclable gift wrapper will be made of paper or cardstock. It will also consist of lesser printable ink or water-based ink.
On the other hand, a non-recyclable gift wrapper will have metallic foil finishes or plastic coating which cannot be removed. The wrapper may also consist of sparkles or glitter which are non-recyclable as well.
8.2 How To Recycle Gift Wrappers?
Before recycling the wrappers, you should make sure of the material of the wrapper. If the material can be easily recycled then put it in the recycle bin with the other items such as paper or cardboard.
Wrappers may also have tape, ribbons, or bow attached to them. Do not forget to remove such decorations before putting them in the recycling bin.
Recycling practices can also vary from area to area. Be sure to check your guidelines if your local recycling points before putting them in the bin.
There are different alternatives as well that can be utilized for eco-friendly practice. Such as, you can reuse the wrapping paper or instead DIY gift wrap by using plain paper and recyclable decorations. You can also discard the whole gift-wrapping idea and instead use fabric wrap, newspaper, or kraft paper.
In conclusion, the question “Can you recycle Christmas cards?” reveals our responsibility for the environment and inspires us to be creative during festive season.
Christmas cards make a comeback in this joyful recycling tale, serving as agents of sustainable celebration as well as yuletide delight. May your this as well as next christmas be filled with recycled confetti and eco-friendly applause.
Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
