Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Groundhog Day, Arbor Day, if you can name it there’s probably a holiday card for it. But what to do with all those cards after the fact?

WHERE TO RECYCLE OLD GREETING CARDS

Whether you’ve been hoarding Christmas cards since the holidays or valentines cards from exes are piling up, all greeting cards are in pretty much the same category for recycling.

The good news is that most greeting cards can be recycled in good ole’ single-stream recycling bins just like many other paper products. Any card made of paper is good to go but if it has glitter, foil, ribbon, or a battery pack these extra materials must be removed and placed in the trash before the rest of the card can be recycled like usual. Additionally, foil lined envelopes cannot be recycled as the foil and paper cannot easily be separated.

Other sustainable uses for old greeting cards

Alternatively, if you’re looking to let your craft side lose old greeting cards are great for reusing as crafting materials. Cut up old cards for a cool collage, new greeting card, or even gift tags, the possibilities are endless!

[UPDATE 8/17/17: St. Judes ended its greeting card program.] if crafting isn’t your thing or doesn’t fit in your schedule another great option is to donate them to charity. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is an organization that accepts old greeting cards all year long and uses them as craft materials so kids can create their very own green cards from recycled material.

Cards can be mailed to 100 St. Jude’s St.  Boulder City, NV 89005 and more information about the program can be found here.

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Marie is a senior at Villanova University studying communication and sustainability. She lives for hiking, camping, skiing, and any outdoor activity. Marie is a coffee addict, loves reading, and has never met a cat or dog she didn't like. View all posts by Marie Bouffard