Learn dos, don'ts of holiday recycling

Not everything can be recycled, however.

In Wake County, corrugated cardboard, such as Amazon boxes, is fine to recycle in cardboard areas, but shiny gift boxes and cardstock need to go into the mixed recycling.

Bows and ribbon can get tangled up in the machines that process the recycling, have to be picked out of the recycling mix by workers. It's better to separate them to use again for another celebration.

A real Christmas tree is better for the environment, so long as you recycle

When you are ready to be rid of your real Christmas tree, you can give it a second life. Recycling programs turn trees into mulch to be used in public parks and trails.

An even easier option is available for Raleigh residents. If the City of Raleigh picks up your garbage, all you have to do is leave your tree curbside, and it will be picked it up. Just leave it right on the ground on any regular garbage day through Feb. 6.

Artificial trees cannot be recycled; only live trees will be picked up for recycling.

In Fayetteville, residents can leave Christmas trees at the curb between Jan. 8 and 12.

All lights, stands and trimmings should be removed from the tree. Residents who live outside the city or miss the pickup, may drop off trees at the Fayetteville Community Garden, located at the corner of Vanstory and Mann Street just off Old Wilmington Road any day before January 13.

Trees will be ground into mulch for the Fayetteville Community Garden and other local parks.