How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas TreesWhere and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Palm Beach County Florida after Christmas 2023 and in January 2024

How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees

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 Grinding Christmas trees into mulchnot 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.

Palm Beach County Florida: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2024

  • Palm Beach County, FL Residents can leave the tree (decorations removed first), at the curb on regular trash pick-up days. Trees picked up by garbage collectors are taken to the dump, where the Solid Waste Authority mulches them and makes the mulch is available to the public for free. If you want free mulch, bring your own containers; you must also shovel it yourself. Christmas Tree Disposal Right at Your Curb.
    As a general rule, if you live in unincorporated parts of Palm Beach County: Just as with any other yard waste, Christmas trees up to 8 feet long and weighing no more than 50 pounds can be placed at the curb whole on the regular yard waste collection day. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel.Trees larger than 8 feet long should be cut in half. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel before placing your Christmas tree at the curb.
  • Unincorporated residents who live in a multi-family community with dumpster service Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents can place their live Christmas tree curbside on the regular yard waste collection day. Remember to remove all decorations, lights and tinsel. Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash; or should contact their home owner's association or property management company directly for disposal procedures.
  • Single family home residents who live in one of Palm Beach County's 38 municipalities should contact their municipality directly for its Christmas tree collection procedures. A list of municipal contacts can be found further down this page..
    More information is available online at SWA.org. Residents can also contact SWA Customer Service with questions or comments at 561-697-2700, toll-free at 866-SWA-INFO (866-792-4636) or by email.
  • Tips for Other Items: Plastic bags and film (like wrap on water bottle cases) can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Loose and soiled bags and film go in the trash. Styrofoam food trays and egg cartons can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Oversized and large volumes of flattened cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the Home Chemical and Recycling Centers or at one of more than 300 community drop offs.
    Strings of holiday lights may be may be recycled. Palm Beach County residents can bring holiday lights to any of the seven Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling Centers
    Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash (check out their video explaining this). 
  •  Holiday decorations and ornaments should be discarded as trash. Donate older/gently used clothing to a local nonprofit, church or woman's shelter to be reused. Excess trash can be taken to the North County Landfill during regular hours, but there is a charge for disposal. Much more information is available on their website. Or, contact Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Customer Service with your questions or comments at 561-697-2700, toll-free at 866-SWA-INFO (866-792-4636).
  • West Palm Beach - Real Christmas trees are considered vegetative waste and will be picked up on regular yard waste pick up days.
    Click here for locations, updated information and more details.
  • Municipal Collection Service Provider Contact List
    Unfortunately many of these city governments post nothing whatsoever online about their Christmas tree curbside collections or drop-off locations, so unfortunately, if, like me, you cannot find anything on their website, you'll have to call them and ask.


    Municipality Whom to Call Telephone Website
    Atlantis City 561-965-1744 Website
    Belle Glade Solid Waste Department 561-996-5865 Website
    Boca Raton City 561-416-3368 Website
    Boynton Beach Public Works 561-742-6200 Website
    Briny Breezes City 561-276-7405 Website
    Cloud Lake Town Hall 561-686-2815 N/A
    Delray Beach Community Improvement Department 561-243-7219 Website
    Glen Ridge Town Hall or
    Waste Management
    561-697-8868 or
    561-547-4000
    N/A
    Golf Village Hall 561-732-0236 N/A
    Greenacres Public Works or
    Advanced Disposal
    561-642-2071 or
    561-471-6110
    Website
    Gulf Stream Public Works 561-276-5116 Website
    Haverhill Solid Waste Department 561-689-0370, ext. 23 Website
    Highland Beach Solid Waste Department 561-278-4548 Website
    Hypoluxo Town 561-582-0155 Website
    Juno Beach Town Center or
    Waste Management
    561-626-1122 or
    800-824-8472
    Website
    Jupiter Engineering or
    Waste Management
    561-741-2372 or
    772-546-7700
    Website
    Jupiter Inlet Colony Colony 561-746-3787 Website
    Lake Clarke Shores Town Clerk 561-964-1515, ext. 10 Website
    Lake Park Solid Waste Department 561-881-3345 Website
    Lake Worth Solid Waste Department 561-533-7344 Website
    Lantana Town Operations or
    Republic Services
    561-540-5750 or
    561-478-9590
    Website
    Loxahatchee Groves Town 561-793-2418 Website
    Manalapan Town 561-585-9477 Website
    Mangonia Park Solid Waste Department or
    Waste Management
    561-848-1235 or
    561-547-4000
    Website
    North Palm Beach Sanitation Department 561-691-3440 Website
    Ocean Ridge Town 561-732-2635 Website
    Pahokee Public Works 561-924-5534, ext. 31 Website
    Palm Beach Solid Waste Department 561-838-5440 Website
    Palm Beach Gardens Public Works 561-804-7000 Website
    Palm Beach Shores Town Hall 561-844-3457 Website
    Palm Springs Solid Waste Department or
    Republic Services
    561-304-4610 or
    561-478-9590
    Website
    Riviera Beach Public Works Dept. 561-845-4080 Website
    Royal Palm Beach Village Clerk
    Republic Services
    561-790-5100
    561-478-9590
    Website
    South Bay Public Works 561-996-6751 Website
    South Palm Beach Waste Management 561-547-4000 Website
    Tequesta Waste Management 772-546-7700 Website
    Wellington Solid Waste Customer Service 561-791-4003 Website
    West Palm Beach City or
    Waste Management
    561-822-2075 or
    561-547-4000
    Website
    Westlake (561) 530-5880
    [email protected]
    Westlake City website

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