How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree
5 ways to dispose of that evergreen after the ornaments are packed away
When it’s time to tackle the annual chore of taking down the
Christmas tree, do you know what to do with the empty evergreen? Here are five
ways to recycle your Christmas tree. No matter which method you choose, make sure you've removed all ornaments, lights, garland and other decorations first.
1. Bring it out to the curb. If your town will pick up your tree along with your trash and recycling, lucky you! Haul that evergreen down to the curb for pickup, then wash your hands of it. (Perhaps literally, as tree sap is messy.) The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) says there may be limits to how large a tree a town will pick up, so check with yours first. Most towns collect trees during the two weeks following Christmas.
2. Bring it to a recycling center. If your
town doesn’t offer curb-side pickup, you can take your tree to a recycling
center. The NCTA says most counties have free drop-off locations that usually
don’t charge for a tree (or even two).
3. Call the Boy Scouts. In many
communities, local Boy Scouts of America troops will collect Christmas trees for
a donation of $5.
4. Put it in your yard waste. Cut the tree
down into small enough pieces to fit into your yard waste containers, then
leave those near the curb for collection.
5. Mulch it. Christmas trees are
biodegradable. If you have a mulcher, or if a friend or neighbor has one, you
can turn that tree into mulch for your landscaping or garden.
Related: 9 Things You Probably Didn't Know You Can Recycle
Looking for more creative ways to reuse your tree? The NCTA says some communities use old Christmas trees as soil erosion barriers in waterfront communities. And if you drop one into your private fish pond, it makes a great place for fish to feed and hide.
What not to do with your tree
Don’t lean it
against your house or put it
in the garage because
it’s fuel for a potential
home fire, advised UL. Also, don't keep it on your porch.
And don’t burn the tree in your fireplace. The needles will burn quickly and may shoot sparks out of the fireplace.
Related: Plastics: Can I Recycle That?
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