Where and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Vermont after Christmas
2023 and in January 2024
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.
Vermont: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2024
- Addison County Christmas Tree Recycling and Holiday Waste Reduction
Christmas trees make excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife
if left outside after the holidays. If you have enough space on your
property, consider leaving your tree out to decay naturally over
time. If you know anyone with goats, talk to them-goats love to eat
Christmas trees!
Vergennes &
Middlebury Curbside Collection
Volunteers will collect
trees in Vergennes and Middlebury EARLY on the first Saturday in January (right after New Year's Day).
Please put trees out the NIGHT BEFORE so you don't miss it! Trees
only, please! No wreaths. Remove all ornaments, garland, tinsel, &
wire.
Tree Drop Off
Any District resident may drop off trees at the District Transfer
Station, open Monday to Friday 7AM to 3PM and Saturday 8AM to 1PM.
Christmas trees are accepted free of charge until the end of
January. Trees only, please! No wreaths. Remove all ornaments,
garland, tinsel, & wire.
After the Holidays are over, you may also turn
your tree into Merry Mulch by dropping it off for free until the end
of January at the District Transfer Station in Middlebury. Trees
will be chipped in the spring and mulch will be available to
residents while supplies last. Please remove ALL ornaments, garland,
and tinsel as these materials will contaminate the Merry Mulch. NO
wreaths please. Please contact the District (388-2333) for collection
dates as the holiday season approaches.
- Burlington, VT - The City of Burlington will be picking
up Christmas Trees on the first Monday in January. . Please
have trees bare & curbside by 7 am for removal. BURLINGTON RESIDENTS ONLY
The City of Burlington will provide FREE curbside collection
of Christmas trees for Burlington Residents ONLY
-
Chittenden County Disposal options:
Christmas trees are accepted at CSWD Drop-Off Centers (except
Burlington and Hinesburg), and McNeil Wastewood Yard
Cost: FREE.
Phone: (802)
872-8111. Email: [email protected]
.
Limitations, regulations and other specifications:
No
ornaments, tinsel or lights
No artificial snow of any kind
No
artificial trees
No bags or other wrapping around trees
No
tree stands (Boards used as stands must not be pressure-treated, and
nails or screws must be smaller than 1/4-inch diameter.)
Length
limit: 6 feet (Some Drop-Off Centers may accept trees up to 8 feet
in length, but to ensure easy drop off of any tree longer than 6
feet, we advise customers to cut it into more manageable sections.)
Notes:
The trees are chipped and and burned as fuel to generate
electricity for Burlington Electric Department. Others go to Lamell
Lumber where they are used as fuel to heat their kilns.
- Essex, VT - Christmas Tree Pickup, Residents of the
Town and Village will again have the opportunity to recycle their
Christmas trees after the holiday season. Residential Christmas
trees will be picked up at the curbside starting at 7:30 AM on the
first week in January after New Year's Day, weather permitting by
the Village and Town Public Work crews and subcontractors. (Essex &
Essex Junction dates are usually on the first Thursday in January at 7:30am. Free.
Trees will be picked up by January 6th, weather permitting.))The
Chittenden Solid Waste District will make arrangements to have the
trees chipped for use as mulch or wood fuel. There will be no charge
for this service. If the weather is inclement, requiring the crews
to perform snow removal activities, the pick-up will start later.
Some guidelines are:
(1) All tinsel and other decorations must
be taken off the tree or crews will not pick it up. Trees with nails
or spikes driven into the trunk will not be picked up. The CSWD will
only accept clean trees that will not damage their grinder.
(2)
Place the tree at the curbside, but not before Monday the 6th of
January. If you place the tree out earlier, and the tree is buried
in a snowbank, it will not be picked up.
(3) Wreaths and other
items will not be picked up and recycled because of the mixed
product (metal and organics material).
(4) Be patient regarding
the pickup. It generally takes a number of days to collect all the
trees.
(5) Please make every attempt to leave trees at the
curbside on Monday morning. With ongoing winter storms and the
number of trees to be picked up, crews cannot go back in subsequent
weeks to accommodate those who have forgotten to place their trees
at the curb in a timely manner.
(6) The tree pickup is planned to
end on Friday, the in early to mid-January (check their website for the date), unless delayed by weather.
Each year calls are received because the pickup date is either too
early or too late for some individuals. If you miss the curbside
pickup, or would like to recycle your tree earlier or later, the
Chittenden Solid Waste District will accept the trees at their
drop-off facility off Rte. 2A during their normal operating hours.
There will not be a charge for the drop-off of up to three Christmas
Trees from residential customers, but any additional trees may incur
a charge. Trees will not be accepted for drop-off at the Highway
Garage or the Wastewater Treatment plant.
Please remember: The
alternatives for disposal are curbside pickup by the Town starting
on the 6th of January and ending on the 10th of January or direct
delivery by the individual to the CSWD drop-off facility.
See this page for updated information
.
- Montpelier, VT - Drop off locations (for trees
removed of all ornaments, lights, tinsel, stands, etc.):
Montpelier Stump Dump, City Dump Rd., Montpelier, VT 05602. Drop off
anytime in the roped off area at the end of the road.
- Washington, VT - Aldrich Acres is looking for your old Christmas
trees for goat food. Goats love Christmas trees with no decorations, hooks, tinsel or anything on them. We are available to pick them up in the
local area or you can drop them off at our farm. PM me for more details good way to get rid of your Christmas tree without having a hassle of trying
to figure out where to bring it.
449 Vermette Lane, Washington, VT 05675. Phone: (802) 272-0593. Email:
[email protected].
Statewide Drop off centers:
Natural, unadorned Christmas trees are accepted
year-round at:
Holidays may affect our hours of operation. View a list of holiday closures.
Drop-Off Center |
Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
Essex
|
| 9:30 am to 5 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
Milton
|
9:30 am to 5 pm |
_ |
|
|
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
Richmond
|
|
8 am to 3:30 pm |
|
9:30 am to 5 pm |
_ |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
South Burlington
|
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
|
8 am to 3:30 pm |
9:30 am to 5 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
Williston
|
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |
8 am to 3:30 pm |