In many urban and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected from curbside during the first 2 weeks in January. Be sure to remove all remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other NON-Organic decorative materials and other materials that are not part of the original tree. This includes tree stands also. Flocked trees are usually accepted, but not artificial trees. Large trees (larger than the standard 6 - 7 ft tree) may need to be cut in half to be acceptable by your garbage hauler. But scrroll down this page for more specific information and local links.
What happens to the trees? In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available, free to city or county residents. Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and could cause a chimney fire.
Tips: Always follow the links (usually the name of the city or county) below for updated information, as these agencies often wait until the last minute to change dates or update their information (it's government, remember?). If your area is not specifically mentioned below, contact your trash collection agency and inquire!
Related information:
See this page for local options to easily recycle your Christmas holiday lights
If it has just snowed; see this page about how to make snocones from real snow! Your kids will love it!
Click here for the list of winter sleigh ride locations!
See our easy recipes to make a Chocolate Yule log and click here to make your own low-fat, low calorie but delicious Egg Nog ! Then come back to our other website in March to find a local Easter Egg Hunt for your children ! There are affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure policy to learn more.
Where and how to recycling your Christmas tree after Christmas, by Territory and city.
Some non-profit organisations, like hospices and Boy Scouts, offer collection, pick-up, and recycling of Christmas trees stripped of all decorations, lights, etc. Please let me know if you know of any, and I will add them below!
If there is no defined programme in your area, and you subscribe to a green waste collection service, you can usually cut your tree up to fit completely inside the bin. Keep in mind, a branch that is more than about 10 centimetres thick will not compost. Instead, it needs to go through a chipping service rather than a composting service.
And you can always compost a Christmas tree in your garden.
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