Does that gift card keep on giving?

Months later, you finally used up those gift cards from the holidays. Now you're stuck with a pile of plastic credit-card-like thingies. Should you toss 'em in the trash where they'll end up in the landfill? Or can they be recycled?

Plenty Magazine has the answer. But, like so many things, it's not a simple one.

Some companies, like Borders Books, REI, Target, and Wal-Mart, now use bio-plastics for their gift cards. These corn-based cards will decompose in your compost bin after a month or two.

However, many gift cards are still made of PVC -- a plastic that is pretty toxic to produce and not widely recycled. It's unlikely that your curbside recycling service will accept the cards.

For these cards, Plenty recommends sending them to Earthworks Systems. This company will recycle old cards into new ones for free.