Central Pennsylvania: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2021

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How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas TreesWhere and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Central Pennsylvania after Christmas in January 2021

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.

Central Pennsylvania: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2021

Central Pennsylvania

Trees should be free of ornaments, tinsel, nails, lights, stands, plastic bags or other manmade materials.

  • Adamstown Borough - Drop-off at Community Pool on N Reading Rd December 26th to January 31st.
  • Akron Borough - Drop-off at Roland Park on N. Eleventh St. December 26th to January 31st.
  • Altoona, PA - Christmas Tree Recycling: Live undecorated trees can be dropped off at the highway yard located at 100 Chief Logan Circle in Altoona from December 26th to January 17th. Trees can also be dropped off during regular business hours at either the Buckhorn Facility located on Black Snake Road or the Duncansville Facility located on Dunnings Highway. Phone: 814-942-7472 for more info.
  • Carlisle, PA - Christmas Tree Drop-off Event - Bourough's Compost Facility
    Post Rd Compost Facility, Carlisle, PA 17013. Phone: (717) 249-4422. Program runs the first 2 full weeks in January, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. People wishing to drop off trees must provide proof of residency in the borough of Carlisle.
  • Christiana Borough - Drop-off at Lions Park on N Bridge St December 26th to January 31st.
  • Colerain Township - Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
  • Columbia Borough - Drop-off at Columbia Fire Company at the corner of 10th and Manor St - or - the Columbia Borough Yard Waste Center on Blue Lane on January 9, 2021 from 8 am to 12 pm.
  • Denver Borough - Drop-off at Borough lot at corner of N 8th and Main St . From December 28, 2020 to mid-January, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Purchasers of the $15 access card will have normal access.
  • Drumore Township - Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
  • Earl Township - Drop-off at Maintenance Building on 125 E Huyard Rd December 26th to January 31st.
  • East Cocalico Township - Drop-off area designated for Township residents only during the month of January located behind the Municipal Building at 100 Hill Rd, Denver. Please follow signs. (DO NOT place on the woody waste pile.) Open from dawn to dusk seven days a week.
  • East Donegal Township, PA - Christmas Tree Collection
    Marrietta, PA 17547. Phone: (717) 426-3167. Christmas tree curbside collection by contracted hauler on January 9, 2021.. This is for residents of East Donegal Township only. Residents may also make an appointment to drop off their Christmas tree at the Mount Joy Borough Compost Site by calling (717) 653-2300.
  • East Drumore Township - Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
  • East Hempfield Township - Curbside collection by contractor week of January 11, 2021 to January 15, 2021 on regular collection day. Drop-off at Municipal Building on Nissley Rd until January 31, 2021, dawn to dusk.
  • East Lampeter Township - Please contact your hauler for Christmas tree pickup service.
  • East Petersburg Borough - Annual Boy Scout Troop 33 Christmas Tree Chipping' event at the East Petersburg Community Park parking lot (6051 Pine Street) on January 9, 2021. Donations are
    requested. You can register for tree pick-up at the Borough office (you will receive a tag). If you decide to have the hauler remove your tree you must get a $5.00 tag at the Borough office.
  • Eden Township - Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park at SECA Pool parking lot, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
  • Elizabeth Township - Drop-off at Municipal Building on South View Dr . From December 26th to February 28, 2021, daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Elizabethtown Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on scheduled yard waste collection days.
  • Ephrata, PA - Christmas Tree Recycling, Free curbside Christmas tree pickup. The Borough of Ephrata provides free curbside pick up of Borough resident's Christmas trees. Simply place your tree(s) curbside the same day as your recycling during the during January 4, 2021 to January 7, 2021 and January 18, 2021 to January 21, 2021 on regular collection day. and the Borough's hauler will pick it up. Missed Dates If you miss these scheduled collection dates you may purchase a $4 oversized tag at the Borough Business Office. Put the tag on your tree and place it curbside the same day as your recycling for pick up. Prep Tree - Please prepare your tree by removing all lights, ornaments, tree stands, and bags. If you have any questions or need additional information call 717-738-9222 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please Note: Martin Mulch Products, located at 55 Woodcrest Drive, will accept Christmas trees. For questions concerning fees, hours of operation, etc. please call them directly at 717-733-1602.
  • Elizabethtown Borough, PA - Christmas Tree Collection Program
    Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Phone: (717) 367-1700. Christmas trees will be collected curbside by a contracted hauler on one day in January only. Call for this year's date. This is only for residents of Elizabethtown borough.
  • Harrisburg, PA - Curbside Recycling Program
    Harrisburg, PA 17104. Phone: (717) 236-4802. Christmas trees will be picked up on trash days during the first two weeks of January. Residents are asked not to put trees out until it is their trash pick-up day. For residents of Harrisburg only.
  • Lancaster Township, PA - CURBSIDE COLLECTION of REAL Christmas trees is the week of January 11-14, 2021. This is the only free collection week. If you miss the free collection week, you must purchase and attach to the tree a RED extra service tag.. Collection takes place on regular trash day. Do not put real trees out before January 11th. Applies to real Christmas trees ONLY. Artificial trees are not included. If you want to put your real tree out before the start of the free collection week, it MUST have a RED extra service tag attached.
    ALL decorations must be removed. Tree should not be in a bag.
    ARTIFICIAL TREES can be put out with the trash, and MUST have a RED extra service tag attached. ALL decorations must be removed. Tree should not be in a bag.
    Red Tags are $4.00 each, are purchased at the township office.
    * Also, DROP OFF of REAL Christmas trees at the Lancaster Township woody waste facility is a service for township residents only.
    December 28, 2020 thru January 14, 2021 from Dawn to Dusk In the designated (signed) area only!
  • Lancaster, PA - The City will collect Christmas trees at curbside collection during the first 2 full weeks of January. Residents should place trees at curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day where they set out trash and recyclable materials. To be collected for recycling into mulch, trees must be free of all decorations including ornaments, lights, tinsel, and stands. Please contact the Solid Waste Hotline at 291-4744 with questions. Residents should place trees at curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day where they set out trash and recyclable materials. To be collected for recycling into mulch, trees must be free of all decorations including ornaments, lights, tinsel, and stands. Collection dates are the second and third full weeks in January.
    January 6, 2020 to January 10, 2020 and
    January 13, 2020 to January 17, 2020
  • Lancaster Landfill and SECCRA Landfill - Residents of the following townships may drop off their Christmas trees (free of decorations) at these two landfills:
    Avondale Borough; Caln Township, Downingtown; East Pikeland, Kennett Square Borough, Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill, South Coatesville (CCCRA), Spring City; Tredyffrin, Valley Township, West Nottingham, West Caln Township, Wallace Township, West Goshen Township, West Bradford, West Brandywine (Vollmecke Orchard), West Chester Borough
    Chester County Lanchester Landfill
    Route 322W, Honey Brook, PA
    7224 Division Highway
    Narvon, PA 17555 610-273-3771
    SECCRA Landfill
    219 Street Rd.
    West Grove, PA 610-869-2452
  • Lancaster Township - Curbside collection of real trees by contractor during week of January 11, 2021 to January 14, 2021 on regular collection day. If you miss the free collection, you must purchase and attach a red extra service tag. Township residents only may drop off real trees at the Lancaster Township yard waste facility . From December 28, 2020 to January 14, 2021, dawn to dusk, in the designated (signed) area only.
  • Lancaster County, PA -
    Adamstown Borough Drop-off at Community Pool on N Reading Rd December 26th to January 31st.
    Akron Borough Drop-off at Roland Park on N. Eleventh St. December 26th to January 31st.
    Christiana Borough Drop-off at Lions Park on N Bridge St December 26th to January 31st.
    Colerain Township Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
    Columbia Borough Drop-off at Columbia Fire Company at the corner of 10th and Manor St or the Columbia Borough Yard Waste Center on Blue Lane on January 9, 2021 from 8 am to 12 pm.
    Denver Borough Drop-off at Borough lot at corner of N 8th and Main St 12/28/20 to mid-January, Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Purchasers of the $15 access card will have normal access.
    Drumore Township Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
    Earl Township Drop-off at Maintenance Building on 125 E Huyard Rd December 26th to January 31st.
    East Cocalico Township Drop-off area designated for Township residents only during the month of January located behind the Municipal Building at 100 Hill Rd, Denver. Please follow signs. (DO NOT place on the woody waste pile.) Open from dawn to dusk seven days a week.
    East Donegal Township Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
    East Drumore Township Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
    East Hempfield Township Curbside collection by contractor week of January 11, 2021 to January 15, 2021 on regular collection day. Drop-off at Municipal Building on Nissley Rd until January 31st, dawn to dusk.
    East Lampeter Township Please contact your hauler for Christmas tree pickup service.
    East Petersburg Borough Annual Boy Scout Troop 33 Christmas Tree Chipping event at the East Petersburg Community Park parking lot (6051 Pine Street) on January 9, 2021. Donations are
    requested. You can register for tree pick-up at the Borough office (you will receive a tag). If you decide to have the hauler remove your tree you must get a $5.00 tag at the Borough office.
    Eden Township Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park at SECA Pool parking lot, Quarryville December 26th to January 31st.
    Elizabeth Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on South View Dr December 26th to February 28, 2021, daily, dawn to dusk.
    Elizabethtown Borough Curbside collection by contractor on scheduled yard waste collection days.
    Ephrata Borough Curbside collection by contractor during January 4, 2021 to January 7, 2021 and January 18, 2021 to 1, 2021, 2021 on regular collection day.
    Lancaster City Curbside collection by contractor on regular trash collection day beginning on Monday January 4, 2021 through Friday January 15, 2021.
    Lancaster Township Curbside collection of real trees by contractor during week of January 11, 2021 to January 14, 2021 on regular collection day. If you miss the free collection, you must purchase and attach a red extra service tag. Township residents only may drop off real trees at the Lancaster Township yard waste facility 12/28/20 to January 14, 2021, dawn to dusk, in the designated (signed) area only.
    Lititz Borough Curbside collection by Lititz Borough Public Works during the week of January 11, 2021.
    Little Britain Township Drop-off at the Township Park near the baseball field on Green Ln in Nottingham, December 26th to January 31st.
    Manheim Borough Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
    Manheim Township Drop-off at Manheim Township Compost Facility on Oregon Pike for Manheim Township residents only. Trees accepted free of charge until January 31st. Trees dropped off 2/1, 2021 through 3/31, 2021 are charged $3.
    Manor Township Drop-off at Manor Township Community Park at corner of Charlestown & Millersville Rds, Creswell Park at 3103 River Rd, Washington Boro Park at corner of River Rd and Route 999, and Greider Park at 306 Dickinson Ave. December 26th to January 21, 2021, dawn to dusk.
    Marietta Borough Curbside collection by contractor on January 16, 2021.
    Millersville Borough Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
    Mountville Borough Curbside collection by contractor on January 8, 2021.
    Mount Joy Borough Curbside collection by contractor January 11, 2021 to January 13, 2021 on regular collection day.
    Mount Joy Township Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
    New Holland Borough Curbside collection by contractor on January 7, 2021.
    Penn Township Drop-off at Municipal Building (in orange fenced area) at 97 N Penryn Rd, December 26th- 2/1, 2021.
    Pequea Township Drop-off at Silver Mine Park roped off area marked with sign in 1st parking lot at the Rte. 324 (Marticville Rd) entrance on December 26th to January 31st, daily from dawn to dusk.
    Providence Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on Mount Airy Rd, December 26th to January 31st, Mon to Thu, 7
    am to 4 pm.
    Quarryville Borough Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park at SECA Pool parking lot between December 26th -January 31st.
    Rapho Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on N Colebrook Rd, December 26th to January 7, 2021 for no charge, daily from dawn to dusk. Curbside collection by contractor on January 18, 2021.
    Salisbury Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on Old Philadelphia Pike throughout the year, daily from dawn to dusk.
    Strasburg Borough Drop-off at the Strasburg Borough Public Works Department, 109 S Jackson St, December 26th to January 31st.
    Terre Hill Borough Drop-off at 426 Linden St at the yard waste recycling facility throughout the year, daily, 6 am to 10 pm
    Upper Leacock Township Drop-off at Maintenance Building on Newport Rd, December 26th to January 31st, daily from dawn to dusk.
    Warwick Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on Clay Rd, December 26th to January 26, 2021 daily from dawn to dusk.
    West Donegal Township Curbside collection by contractor on January 12, 2021 (north side of Bainbridge Rd) and January 13, 2021 (south side of Bainbridge Rd).
    West Earl Township The West Earl compost facility on Locust St is open 24/7 every day of the year (with a valid compost card for entry). Christmas tree pick up will be on Saturday, January 9, but it is only for West Earl Township residents who are in the West Earl Township trash/recycling program.
    West Hempfield Township Drop-off at Fairview Park on Fairview Rd, December 26th to January 31st. Curbside collection with purchase of $5.00 red tag. Tree must be under 6' in length or cut into separate pieces.
    West Lampeter Township Curbside collection by January 6, 2021 to January 7, 2021 on regular collection day.
    Lancaster County Central Park - Parking lot behind park office on Chesapeake Street, Lancaster PA. Phone: (717) 299-8215. Christmas Trees - $1 per tree donation is requested to support park programs. Mulch is available to the public beginning January 2. December 26 to Jan 15 from Dawn to Dusk
    Martin Mulch Products - 55 Woodcrest Drive, Ephrata PA. Phone: (717) 733-1602. Christmas Trees - $2 per tree
    Woody Material (Tree Trimmings, Brush, Shrubs), Yard Waste (Leaves, Grass Clippings, Garden Residue, Sod) . Open: Monday to Saturday, Dawn to Dusk.
    Zeager Brothers - 4000 E. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown PA. Phone: (717) 944-7481. Christmas Trees - No charge, Pallets (Wood), Woody Waste (Trees & Trimmings, Brush), Yard Waste (Leaves, Garden Residue). Open: Monday to Friday 6 am to 5 pm Check in at office first.
    Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) has assembled a list of Recycling Drop-Off Centers in Lancaster County as a guideline to individuals interested in recycling materials.
  • Lebanon, PA - Recycle Your Christmas Tree for FREE. Any Lebanon County resident is eligible for the FREE Christmas Tree Recycling Program. A GLRA License is NOT required. Please provide the Christmas tree only, no decorations. Trees must be under the 10 foot maximum height or cut in half. There is no cost for recycling. December 26th through February 16 bring your tree to the GLRA Recycling Center at 1610 Russel Road. Tree must be free of all decorations and paint! We're open Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM.
  • Lititz Borough - Curbside collection by Lititz Borough Public Works during the week of January 11, 2021.
  • Little Britain Township - Drop-off at the Township Park near the baseball field on Green Ln in Nottingham, December 26th to January 31st.
  • Lower Allen Township, PA - Curbside Recycling Program
    Camp Hill, PA 17011. Phone: (717) 975-7575. Please call for Christmas tree collection information. For residents of Lower Allen Township only.
  • Manheim Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
  • Manheim Township Drop-off at Manheim Township Compost Facility on Oregon Pike for Manheim Township residents only. Trees accepted free of charge until January 31, 2021. Trees dropped off 2/1, 2021 through 3/31, 2021 are charged $3.
  • Manor Township - Drop-off at Manor Township Community Park at corner of Charlestown & Millersville Rds, Creswell Park at 3103 River Rd, Washington Boro Park at corner of River Rd and Route 999, and Greider Park at 306 Dickinson Ave. . From December 26th to January 21, 2021, dawn to dusk.
  • Marietta Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on January 16, 2021.
  • Mechanicsburg, PA - Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-off Event for residents of Mechanicsburg only.
    842 W Church Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Phone: (717) 691-3310. The Borough compost site is not free. Contact the city for details.
    For the private service, Penn Waste, see this page.
  • Millersville Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on January 9, 2021.
  • Mountville Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on January 8, 2021.
  • Mount Joy Borough, PA - Compost Site, Curbside collection by contractor From January 11, 2021 to January 13, 2021 on regular collection day.
    159 S Jacob St., Mt. Joy, PA 17552. Phone: (717) 653-2300. For residents of East Donegal Township, Mount Joy Borough only. Drop off trees the first weekend of the month between dawn and dusk.
  • New Holland Borough - Curbside collection by contractor on January 7, 2021.
  • Palmyra, PA - Curbside Collection Program
    Palmyra, PA 17078. Phone: (717) 838-6361. Christmas trees will be collected on trash days during the month of January. This is for Palmyra residents only.
  • Penn Township - Drop-off at Municipal Building (in orange fenced area) at 97 N Penryn Rd, December 26th to February 1, 2021.
  • Pequea Township - Drop-off at Silver Mine Park roped off area marked with sign in 1st parking lot at the Rte. 324 (Marticville Rd) entrance on December 26th to January 31st, daily from dawn to dusk.
  • Providence Township - Drop-off at Municipal Building on Mount Airy Rd, December 26th to January 31st, Mon to Thu, 7
    am to 4 pm.
  • Quarryville Borough - Drop-off at Legion Memorial Park at SECA Pool parking lot between December 26th to January 31, 2021.
  • Rapho Township - Drop-off at Municipal Building on N Colebrook Rd, . From December 26th to January 7, 2021 for no charge, daily from dawn to dusk. Curbside collection by contractor on January 18, 2021.
    971 N Colebrook Rd, Manheim, PA 17545. Phone: (717) 665-3827. For residents of Rapho Township only.
  • Red Lion, PA - begins on January 2 . Place your Christmas tree at your usual trash pickup site Monday through Friday,
    and the Red Lion Borough Public Works Department will pick it up.Please remove all decorations and bags!!
  • Rye Township, PA - Recycling Drop-Off Site
    1775 New Valley Rd, Marysville, PA 17053. Phone: (717) 957-2438. For residents of Rye Township only. This is a 24-hour drop-off site.
  • Salisbury Township Drop-off at Municipal Building on Old Philadelphia Pike throughout the year, daily from dawn to dusk.
  • Springfield Township - Wyndmoor, PA - Christmas Tree Collection - Township crews normally begin collecting Christmas Trees during the first week of January. Please place your tree at the curbside on your regular collection day. Please do not "wrap" your tree in plastic as it will be chipped into useful mulch and made available to Township residents at no charge at our property on West Wissahickon Avenue. Please call the Township Building for the availability of leaf mulch and Christmas tree mulch as supplies vary throughout the year.215-836-7600.
  • Strasburg Borough - Drop-off at the Strasburg Borough Public Works Department, 109 S Jackson St, December 26th to January 31st.
  • Terre Hill Borough - Drop-off at 426 Linden St at the yard waste recycling facility throughout the year, daily, 6 am to 10 pm
  • Upper Leacock Township - Drop-off at Maintenance Building on Newport Rd, December 26th to January 31st, daily from dawn to dusk.
  • Warwick Township - Drop-off at Municipal Building on Clay Rd, . From December 26th to January 26, 2021 daily from dawn to dusk.
  • West Donegal Township - Curbside collection by contractor on January 12, 2021 (north side of Bainbridge Rd) and January 13, 2021 (south side of Bainbridge Rd).
    Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Phone: (717) 367-7178. Curbside Christmas tree collection by a contracted hauler. This is for residents of West Donegal Township.
  • West Earl Township - The West Earl compost facility on Locust St is open 24/7 every day of the year (with a valid compost card for entry). Christmas tree pick up will be on Saturday, January 9, but it is only for West Earl Township residents who are in the West Earl Township trash/recycling program.
  • West Hempfield Township - Drop-off at Fairview Park on Fairview Rd, December 26th to January 31st. Curbside collection with purchase of $5.00 red tag. Tree must be under 6' in length or cut into separate pieces.
  • West Lampeter Township - Curbside collection by January 6, 2021 to January 7, 2021 on regular collection day.
  • York, PA - York City staff perform special curbside Christmas Tree collections generally during the first two weeks of January each year. Please remove all foreign objects (plastic bags, lights, ornaments). Place tree at your designated collection point prior to 6 am on your collection day during this period of time. After the first two weeks in January, the curbside hauler will collect any remaining Christmas trees as regular trash. Each tree replaces a bag/can of trash in the normal bag limit. Questions? Please contact York City, Public Works Department at 849-2245. There is also a York County Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-Off Site - Solid Waste Authority Facility
    Flour Mill Rd, York, PA 17406. Phone: (717) 845-1066. This program runs from December 26 to January 31. For residents of York County only. This is a 24-hour drop-off site.
  • York County, PA - Recycle your Christmas Tree at the Parking Lot Directly Across from the Resource Recovery Center: Christmas trees are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays 8 AM to noon from December 26 through January 31. There is no fee to York County residents. Residents should follow the signs along Blackbridge Road directing them to the parking lot across from the Resource Recovery Center at 2651 Blackbridge Road. Please remove lights, ornaments, tinsel and protective bags from your tree before delivery. Trees collected are shipped off site to an end user. Other Christmas Tree Recycling Options: Many municipalities now offer Christmas tree collection for their residents as part of the curbside recycling program. Contact your municipality to find out if they offer this service.

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