Skip to main content
rolls of wrapping paper

Resources

Holiday Recycling Resources

Omaha Recycling Guide

From gift wrap to bubble wrap and everything in between, the Omaha Recycling Guide can help you find answers to your recycling questions. The Omaha Recycling Guide is a searchable database with hundreds of household items. See frequently asked questions and find local resources to help you Recycle Right in Omaha, Nebraska! Look up an item by name, or browse by materials like plastics, batteries, and more.

Christmas Tree Recycling Sites

Christmas Tree Sites

When it’s time to take down the Christmas tree, dispose of it in a sustainable way! Take advantage of these local free or low-cost options for composting real Christmas Trees:

Dec 24, 2024 - Jan 9, 2025: City of Omaha Tree Sites

Take a live Christmas tree to one of many free disposal sites in the Omaha metro area. The City of Omaha's tree sites will be open seasonally 12/24 through 1/9/2025 during daylight hours, unless noted on the website. Remove all ornaments, lights, wires, nails, and tree stands. Flocked (real) trees are accepted, but NO wreaths or evergreen roping. Toss your tree up on the pile, but don’t leave trash, plastic bags, or rope at the sites – only trees. Volunteer assistance will be available at select sites, on select days.

Dec 26, 2024 - Jan 11, 2025: Scouting4Trees

Omaha and Lincoln area residents may be able to schedule a driveway pickup through “Scouting for Trees” – a Boy Scouts’ service project designed to help keep area Christmas trees out of landfills. Only real trees are accepted. Remove all: nails, wires, ornaments, tree stands, lights, and plastic bags. Flocked trees are ok. Sign up in advance as limited dates, times, and locations are available. Donations are encouraged.

Any time: Hillside Solutions Compost Club

Real Christmas trees can be accepted at Hillside Solution’s Soil Dynamics composting site (1725 Avenue G, Omaha, NE 68110 near Eppley Airfield). Remove all decor, lights, and stands (no plastic, metal, or glass accepted). This service is free for Hillside Solutions Compost Club members, or non-members can pay a per-drop fee. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, but please call ahead to confirm.

String Light Recycling Drives

String Lights

Holiday lights not working? Don’t get tangled up about it! Take those broken or unwanted string lights to be recycled! In Omaha, a few holiday light drives are going on now. Below are some details to help you find a special collection container near you: 

Scouts BSA Troop 231 - Holiday Light Drive 

  • Dates: October 30, 2024 through January 15, 2025
  • Drop-off Locations: all Omaha Goodwill locations; various organizations in Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, and Plattsmouth
  • Hours: Vary by location
  • See All Locations: PDF Flier

Scrap Central  

  • Dates: November 15, 2024 through January 10, 2025
  • Drop-off Location: 2728 N. 85th St. (1/2 block South of Maple)
  • Hours: Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:45pm, Closed Saturday & Sunday (winter hours)
  • Website: Scrapcentralrecycling.com/light-drive.html

Holiday Glass Recycling

Glass Recycling Options

Don’t let the holiday leftovers pile up - including glass bottles! After the party, take advantage of these local, glass-recycling options for your empties:

Free Drop-off: The City of Omaha provides free, glass recycling drop-off sites for residential use. (Do NOT place glass in curbside recycling carts - glass can contaminate recyclables and injure workers). Take glass to the PURPLE recycling containers at drop-off locations around town.

Special Curbside Pickup: Glassman Recycling & Repurposing offers a residential curbside pickup service with a membership and/or per-pickup fees.

Commercial Pickup: Businesses, apartments, and other organizations can contract with local companies for commercial glass recycling services.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping

Sustainable Wrapping Ideas

Take your gifts from “wrapped" to "WOW!” with sustainable wrapping ideas! Wrapping a gift in fabric (such as a tea towel or cloth napkin) is a sustainable way to enhance any gift you give. You can also repurpose paper grocery bags or newspapers to wrap gifts, and add your own embellishments, such as dried herbs, leaves, evergreen branches, dried fruit, gift tags, ornaments, and more. Download our how-to guide for sustainable wrapping techniques, and get creative this holiday season!

Powered by Firespring