Did you know… your city might landfill the Christmas trees they collect from your curbside?
As the holiday season wraps up, many of us are preparing to take down decorations and leave our natural Christmas trees out for collection. In most urban and suburban areas, these trees are picked up from the curb during the first two weeks of January. But do you know what happens to your tree after collection?
If you’re unsure, now is the perfect time to contact your local waste management provider. Ask whether the trees will be chipped and recycled into mulch or sent to landfills to decompose, producing methane gas emissions. Some waste providers chip the trees into mulch and make it available for free to local residents.
If your waste provider plans to send the trees to landfills, you can take action. Find a local organization that will collect and recycle your tree instead. Here are some resources to help:
National Recycling Resources:
Earth911 Recycling Locator: Search ‘Christmas tree’ along with your zip code to find recycling options.
Christmas Tree Recycling (near me): Look for local programs that specialize in recycling Christmas trees.
National Christmas Tree Association: A reliable source for recycling initiatives and information.
Arbor Day Foundation: Find tree recycling programs or resources in your area.
Don’t Forget Your Holiday Lights!
If you have broken, burned-out, or tangled strings of holiday lights, don’t toss them in the trash. Here are better options:
- Local Recycling Programs: Search online for local bins or collection points that accept old lights.
- Mail-in Recycling Programs: Some programs allow you to send lights directly to the manufacturer. For example, Holiday LEDs offers a mail-in program for their products.
Compost Your Tree with HOTBIN:
If you own a HOTBIN, you can recycle your tree right at home by composting it. If you don’t have a HOTBIN yet, now is a great time to invest in one and start composting in the new year. A sustainable lifestyle begins with small steps—like turning your Christmas tree into nutrient-rich compost.
Together, we can ensure that our holiday leftovers are managed responsibly and sustainably!