Happy post-xmas day! Your tree’s yellowing and dropping needles, your floor’s trashed with the detritus of holiday present wrappings, and your closet’s gotten even more crowded with ugly duds you don’t want. Here’s how to manage that post-holiday mess, eco-style:

1. Save those wrapping papers, tissues, gift bags, ribbons and boxes. Trust me, they’ll come in handy for birthday and other gifts throughout the year — or for the end of 2009. Neatly fold and stack everything, then put them all in a box that fits under your bed or some other relatively-accessible place. Not only will you save money, you’ll save time for every occasion you need a gift for.

2. Recycle your tree. Many cities have tree recycling programs in place. Call or visit your city’s website to find out what your own city’s policies are. Remember, just putting your tree out by the dumpster’s illegal in most places, as the practice makes for a fire hazard.

Of course, if you got a cardboard tree** like the ones pictured above, you can either pack it away to use next year or put it in our usual paper recycling bin.

3. Upcycle that ugly holiday sweater. With every misfortune comes opportunity, they say — or I’d like to think, at least. Once, I got some very ugly socks from my mom — but I managed to take them apart and upycle them into cute baby booties and kitted mice (cat toys). Get crafty and do likewise.

Got other tips for greening post-holidays? Share them in the comments!

All photos by Siel except the cardboard trees,** by thecardboardtree.com

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