What to do with your Christmas waste now that the big day is over

December 25 has passed and Santa has returned to the North Pole after delivering toys to good girls and boys around the world.

However a pile of wrapping paper, bows and boxes has been left in his wake.

According to Halifax Regional Municipality's website, paper gift wrap and boxboard (cereal-type boxes) can be recycled in a retail/grocery bag, or a clear bag with your other paper recycling.

Corrugated cardboard should be bundled and placed next to paper recycling.

Foil wrap, gift bags, bows, and ribbon that are no longer able to be reused go in the garbage, however HRM recommends trying to reuse gift wrap, bows, ribbons, cards and gift bags next year.

If you decorated a real Christmas tree, remove all plastic, tinsel, ornaments, metal rings, nails, stands and plastic tree bags, then you can put it on the curb to be picked up on your regular green cart collection day/week. 

Greenery, like boughs, trees and natural garland, can be composted or mulched.

Wreaths with metal wires or plastic cord go in a clear garbage bag.

And if you're getting rid of old clothing and toys to make room for your Christmas haul, consider donating the gently used items to a charitable organization instead of throwing them away.