Looking for Christmas Tree Recycling Near You?
Just because the Christmas season is over and it’s time to take down the Tannenbaum, your old Christmas tree can still live on after all the ornaments and tinsel is put away again.
Whether your tree is real or artificial, we have many creative recommendations for recycling your old Christmas tree instead of tossing it to the curb. Read how to reuse, repurpose or get rid of your Christmas tree (and all that glitter) in an eco-friendly way after the holidays are over.
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Options for Christmas Tree Recycling:
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Can You Reuse an Artificial Christmas Tree?
Similar to a mattress, the average lifespan of an artificial Christmas tree is about 10 years. Because they can both be difficult to recycle and are bad for the environment when they end up in a landfill, faux Christmas trees should be reused until the very end of their lifespans.
The best way to reuse an artificial tree is to give it away. As a first step, offer your unwanted tree to a family member, friend, or charity. If it was a high-quality tree when first purchased and is still in excellent condition, you may be able to sell it.
If you’re the artsy type, use your faux tree for crafts. Depending on the age and type of tree, you can make DIY wreaths and other great Christmas decorations.
You can even go the utilitarian route and cut up the tree branches to use as wreath or garland ties that blend in better than zip ties and wire.
Can You Repurpose a Real Christmas Tree?
Believe it or not, there are lots of ways to reuse an old, dried-out Christmas tree. Here’s a list of a few ways to repurpose a live tree once the holidays are over.
How to reuse a real Christmas tree:
- If you live near a body of water, you can throw the branches into the water to provide shelter and hiding spots for fish.
- Pine needles dry quickly and decompose slowly, making them perfect as a free mulch that’s dry and mold-resistant.
- If you’re a gardener, you can cut the trunk into pieces for edging and cut off branches to lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and frost.
- Borrow or rent a wood chipper and feed the tree through it to create mulch that can be used in the spring under shrubs to fight weeds and add nutrients to the soil.
- Cut the tree to shorten it a bit, set it in your front yard near a window, and hang small feeders from the branches to attract birds, squirrels, and other entertaining wildlife.
- After you cut your tree up into pieces and allow it to dry completely, you can use it as wood in a fire pit. It’s important to only burn your tree outside where it is well-ventilated since it will create toxic smoke and fumes when burned. Collect trees and have a bonfire!
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Can I Recycle My Christmas Tree?
Depending on the type of Christmas tree that you have, you may be able to recycle it.
Living Christmas Tree Recycling
Live Christmas trees are biodegradable and can be recycled for mulch and other purposes. Most cities and municipalities have a Christmas tree recycling program, where they are cut into wood chips for landscaping in parks and other public spaces.
If you have regular recycling pickup service, they may collect your Christmas tree during regular pickup schedules at the beginning of the New Year. Be sure to check with your recycling collector about any special requirements regarding tree size, ornaments, tinsel, flocking, tree stands, etc.
If not, you may be able to haul your tree to your local recycling center and drop it off there. Most towns and cities have recycling center drop-off locations where you can take your old tree. Check with your local department of public works for details.
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Artificial Christmas Tree Recycling
What if you want to recycle an artificial Christmas tree? Artificial Christmas trees that cannot be given away, sold, donated, or used for crafts, should be recycled. Artificial trees should be reused as much as possible to better the environment.
Local recycling pickup of faux trees isn’t as common as it is for real trees, but some cities will pick up artificial trees. Depending on your area, you’ll most likely have to haul your fake tree to a recycling center yourself. Contact your local government for instructions on how to recycle a Christmas tree, and make sure you remove all the ornaments, tinsel, garland, and lights from your Christmas tree before having it recycled.
When it comes to Christmas tree donations, artificial trees are usually accepted so long as the tree’s lights are still working. If not, you’ll have to dispose of your Christmas tree.
Faux Christmas Trees will inevitably require more work and energy for you with recycling compared to everyday metal, plastic, and paper recyclables. Learn More ❯
Christmas Tree Removal & Disposal
When there’s no tree pickup service available near you or you don’t have the time, energy, or vehicle size to haul your old Christmas tree, you can book a local pickup with LoadUp instead.
LoadUp is a nationwide, full-service junk removal company offering disposal and recycling of old Christmas trees. Your local Loaders will pickup and haul away your tree quickly and easily.
Instead of putting your Christmas tree on the curb or dumping it somewhere that’s sure to get you a spot on Santa’s naughty list, schedule a pickup with LoadUp instead.
Because we care about the environment and the communities we serve, our Loaders will make sure that if your tree and other unwanted items can be donated or recycled, they will be!
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