Recycle Right: City Offers Recycling Tips to Address Post-Holiday Waste Surge

By City of Corpus Christi - Dec 15, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services encourages residents to focus on their post-holiday cleanup to support citywide recycling.

“The holiday season results in a significant increase in materials, making it a crucial time for our recycling program,” said Philip Aldridge, Director of Solid Waste Services. “By quickly sorting and properly recycling items like cardboard and gift boxes, residents are giving an immediate boost to our annual recycling efforts. Consistent participation, especially now, helps us reach our sustainability goals throughout the year.”

Here are some helpful tips to Recycle Right:

Recyclable items (belong in blue carts)

  • Cardboard: Conserve space by flattening boxes 
  • Seasonal paper: Seasonal catalogs, mail, magazines, newspapers and greeting cards without glitter or foil
  • Containers: Empty, clean, and dry tin/aluminum cans and plastic tubs (butter, sour cream, etc.)
  • Plastic bottles: Lids/caps must be removed

Non-recyclable items (belong in green or brown carts)

  • Decorations: Ribbons, bows, tinsel, wreaths, garland, string lights, and ornaments
  • Contaminated Paper: Wrapping paper, and holiday cards with glitter or foil
  • Packaging: Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and padded envelopes
  • Plastics: All plastic bags
  • Batteries: Disposable AA, C, and D batteries

Customers should not overfill carts.

The J.C. Elliott Transfer Station (7001 Ayers Street) is the designated drop-off point for specific items, including:

  • Live Christmas trees – Customers may drop off their bare trees from December 26 to January 31, 2026.
    • A walk-in, roll-off container will be located in front of the main gate entrance of the J.C. Elliott Transfer Station for any tree drop off 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 
    • Flocked trees with artificial snow will not be accepted in the recycling container. Artificial trees must be disposed of inside the Transfer Station.
    • Trees can also be set out during authorized heavy brush/bulky set-out dates.
  • Household hazardous waste: Motor oil, cooking grease/peanut oil, pesticides, paints, and cleaners
  • Electronics and appliances: Computers, printers, scanners, and large appliances
  • Other: Glass bottles/containers, lithium batteries, and tires (limit of up to four standard tires per trip)

Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services has already started strong, collecting 10,722 tons of recycled materials in the last fiscal year, from October 2024 through September 2025. 

Download the CC Recycles app from Solid Waste Services | City of Corpus Christi to easily search for recyclable items, view collection schedules, Litter Critter events, and access educational games.

For complete details on how to Recycle Right, visit the City's website:

Media representatives requesting additional information may contact Public Information Officer Cassandra Hinojosa at 361-826-2944 or CassandraH3@CorpusChristiTX.gov.

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