The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and a lot of litter. Between gift-giving, gatherings, travel, and additional package deliveries, trash increases by up to 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And in Tennessee, wind, rain, and roadways can quickly move that waste into our waterways and natural areas.
So how do we combat this additional litter? This year, be on the lookout for the six unexpected places trash tends to hide, and what you can do to keep it from cluttering up our roadways and waterways.
#1: Gift Wrap & Packaging Overflow
Who doesn’t love a package wrapped in beautiful paper and tied up with string? Unfortunately, it’s one of the most significant sources of holiday litter. Wrapping paper, bows, plastic film, and cardboard can pile up quickly. And those lightweight scraps? They’re infamous for catching a breeze and blowing out of trash bins, recycling carts, or even trash trucks if holiday packaging isn’t secured.
How to prevent it:
- Reuse gift bags, boxes, and tissue paper whenever possible.
- Flatten cardboard boxes as you go to avoid overflow.
- Ensure your bags are tied and secure your trash and recycling lids to prevent loose pieces from blowing away.
#2: Holiday Road Trips & Parking Lots
Tennessee roadways get busier during the holidays as residents travel to see friends and family. And more travel means more litter in the form of snack wrappers, fast-food packaging, drink bottles, receipts, and more.
Parking lots are also common litter zones this time of year. The combination of lightweight trash and winter winds scatters waste across lots, medians, and drainage areas. These items eventually end up in our streams and rivers.
How to prevent it:
- Keep a small trash bag or reusable container in your car.
- Secure loose items before opening your car door.
- Dispose of trash in the proper receptacles before hitting the highway or heading home.
#3: Outdoor Decorations & Inflatable Displays
Everyone loves holiday decor, but no one loves the debris left behind. The weather from November to January can send decorations flying, and once they’re loose, they can be difficult to locate. Broken zip ties, loose plastic clips, packaging, and even inflatables can end up in streets and storm drains, contributing to roadside litter that can clog storm drains, harm wildlife, and travel into our waterways.
How to prevent it:
- Double-secure inflatables and yard signs before storms.
- Collect all packaging materials immediately after decorating.
- Do a quick “post-storm sweep” to catch anything that blew loose overnight.
#4: Post-Event or Post-Holiday Cleanup Hotspot
Holiday parties, celebrations, and community events often leave behind hidden litter. Fireworks debris, confetti, streamers, small plastic toys, and food packaging are all types of trash that are unavoidable, but ensuring they end up in the proper receptacles is easier said than done. Preventing this type of litter takes a few quick steps before and after the festivities.
How to prevent it:
- Clean up fireworks debris after the fun.
- Avoid plastic confetti outdoors. Use reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
- Check gutters, driveways, and lawns after gatherings.
- Ensure that any trash ends up in the designated receptacles and is properly secured.
#5: Party Supplies & Food Waste
While disposable plates, napkins, toothpicks, cupcake wrappers, and plastic cutlery are common at gatherings, all this litter adds up to a lot of trash afterwards. Outdoor gatherings can also cause lightweight debris to fly. These small items are among the most commonly found during community cleanups across Tennessee.
How to prevent it:
- Use real plates, cutlery, and glasses when possible.
- Place clearly labeled recycling and trash bins where guests can see them.
- Do a quick outdoor sweep after the party to gather any items that may have blown away.
#6: Shipping Materials & Doorstep Deliveries
During the holidays, shopping and shipping activity peaks. Many Tennessee residents experience a surge in cardboard boxes, bubble mailers, shipping materials like styrofoam peanuts, tape and tables. When disposing of these types of items, if not secured, they can make a real mess on trash day.
- Break down boxes immediately and place them in the proper receptacles. Recycle when you can.
- If there’s too much to fit in the bin, bundle or secure cardboard to prevent it from blowing away.
- Use the packaging for wrapping. The boxes are the perfect size, and you save some money!
- Follow disposal instructions for eco-friendly packaging. Many packing peanuts dissolve in water, and bubble mailers can often be deflated and recycled with plastic bags at participating drop-off locations.
What Tennesseans Can Do (Quick Checklist)
- Secure trash bins – Close the lids. Tie your bags.
- Bring a car trash bag – Catch that litter before you even open your car door.
- Do an after-the-storm check – Check outside for litter that can be disposed of properly.
- Break down boxes as you go – Prevent overflow and blow-away litter.
- Take advantage of recycling drop-offs – Many stores take plastic.
A Cleaner Holiday Starts With You
During the holidays, small, simple choices make a big difference in a season known for excessive waste. By staying mindful of these hidden hotspots for holiday litter, we can protect our roadways, waterways, and communities year-round. Whether you’re celebrating at home or traveling across our beautiful state, every action matters. Together, we can reduce litter and keep Tennessee clean for everyone.
Sources:
https://www.afandpa.org/news/2025/how-recycle-paper-during-holiday-season
https://environmentamerica.org/events/waste-less-celebrate-more-tips-for-a-zero-waste-holiday
