Post-Holiday Cleanout Guide: What to Toss, Donate, or Recycle in January

The holiday season brings joy, family time, and celebration — but it also leaves behind clutter. Between decorations, gift packaging, old items replaced with new ones, and general household buildup, January becomes the perfect month for a fresh start. A post-holiday cleanout not only clears your space but also helps you donate, recycle, and dispose of items responsibly.

Whether you’re decluttering your home, cleaning out a rental property, or preparing your business for the new year, this guide will help you decide what to toss, what to donate, and what to recycle — and how a dumpster rental from Wasteline Solutions can make the process fast and stress-free.

What to Toss

Some items simply can’t be reused or recycled and are best disposed of properly.

1. Broken Holiday Decorations

If they’re cracked, burned out, or damaged beyond repair, it’s time to toss:

• shattered ornaments

• broken wreaths

• damaged inflatables

• holiday décor with missing pieces

2. Torn Gift Wrap & Used Packaging

Anything with glitter, foil, or heavy coatings can’t be recycled.

3. Worn-Out Furniture & Old Household Items

January is the time many families replace old items with new:

• sagging couches

• broken chairs

• damaged shelving

• outdated home décor

These bulky items are perfect for a dumpster rental.

4. Non-Working Electronics

Old TVs, broken holiday lights, and damaged electronics should be disposed of safely — many cannot be recycled curbside.

What to Donate

Some items are still in great condition and can help someone else begin the year on a positive note.

1. Clothing & Winter Accessories

If your family received new clothes for the holidays, donate the older ones:

• lightly used sweaters

• jackets

• shoes

• bags and accessories

2. Toys & Children’s Items

After holiday gifting, many families donate gently used toys that kids have outgrown.

3. Kitchen Supplies

Decluttering for the new year often means clearing cabinets of:

• duplicate pots and pans

• unused appliances

• dishware sets

4. Home Décor & Storage Items

If it’s still in good shape, a nonprofit or thrift store can put it to good use.

What to Recycle

January is a great month to separate recyclable materials and reduce landfill waste.

1. Cardboard Boxes

Break down boxes from online orders, gifts, and holiday shipments.

2. Paper Gift Wrap (Non-Glitter)

Plain wrapping paper, paper bags, and tissue paper can be recycled.

3. Metal & Plastic Packaging

Food tins, plastic trays, and certain shipping materials may be recyclable.

4. Real Christmas Trees

Many cities in South Florida offer:

• mulching programs

• composting

• curbside pickup on scheduled days

Artificial trees in good condition can be donated; damaged ones can go into a dumpster.

Why January Is the Perfect Time for a Cleanout

• You’re already putting away decorations

• Homes tend to feel cluttered after holiday hosting

• Many people start home improvement projects early in the new year

• New items received during the holidays replace old ones

• It’s the ideal time to reset your home and begin the year organized

Make Your Cleanout Easy with a Dumpster Rental

A dumpster rental from Wasteline Solutions simplifies your entire January cleanout. Instead of making dozens of trips to the curb, donation centers, recycling facilities, or the landfill, you can tackle it all at once.

We help with:

• Residential cleanouts

• Post-holiday junk removal

• Yard waste and outdoor debris

• Bulk item removal

• Small renovation or organization projects

Our team serves Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade, Tampa, Port Canaveral and surrounding South Florida cities with fast delivery, flexible rental periods, and responsible disposal.