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Recycling and reusing holiday greenery

A person holding an evergreen wreath decorated with berries and pinecones
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Recycling and reusing holiday greenery

The holidays bring joy, festivity, and beautiful evergreen decorations like Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands. As the holiday season comes to an end, many of us are left wondering what to do with our holiday greenery. 

Instead of sending them to the landfill, there are sustainable ways to recycle or compost your trees and other natural decorations. Recycling holiday greenery not only helps reduce waste in landfills but also contributes to a more sustainable environment.

Here's how you can responsibly dispose of your holiday greenery.

How to recycle your holiday greenery

Most communities offer Christmas tree recycling programs, often referred to as "treecycling." However, be sure to check locally for what is accepted - most community tree recycling programs only accept trees, and do not accept wreaths and garlands due to the metal and/or plastic backing.

Christmas tree recycling drop-off site in East Lansing, Mich.

Find a local drop-off

Many cities and towns have tree collection services or drop-off locations.

These trees are often chipped into mulch or composted.

A close up image of a calendar.

Confirm dates

Recycling programs usually start right after Christmas and continue into mid-January.

Be sure to confirm the dates in your area.

A person holding a sprig of evergreen in their hands

Prepare your tree

Before recycling, make sure to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the tree stand.

Your tree must be free of any decorations to be properly recycled.

A man lifting a Christmas tree from the top of a SUV and throwing it in a pile of trees

Drop it off or leave it

Some areas may require you to bring your tree to a recycling center, park, or other drop-off location.

If your community offers curbside pickup, place your tree by the curb on the designated day.

Other methods to recycle or reuse your greenery

No community "treecycling" program? No problem! There are still multiple other ways to recycle or reuse your greenery; all more sustainable and environmentally friendly than sending it to a landfill.

  • Leaves in compost bin. Photo courtesy of EGLE staffer Kent Walters.

    Add to your compost

    Just like other yard waste, greenery can be composted if it is completely natural and all decorations have been removed.

  • A large pile of firewood, stacked as high as two small snow-covered evergreen trees next to it

    Chop it for firewood

    You can chop the trunk into firewood for yourself or others. However, make sure the wood is dried out properly before burning.

  • Brush pile made from storm debris to create a wildlife habitat.

    Build wildlife habitat

    In your own backyard or through a local organization, clean evergreen can be used to create brush habitats for wildlife.

  • The Plaster Creek Stewards plant a demonstration curb-cut rain garden in a Grand Rapids neighborhood.

    Create garden mulch

    Rent or borrow a wood chipper to turn your tree into mulch that can be used in your garden beds or walkways.

Sustainable tips for next year

Natural decorations like Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths and garlands are biodegradable, but when sent to landfills, they decompose without oxygen, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas. By recycling or reusing your holiday greenery, you're helping to close the loop on holiday waste and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

  • A living Christmas tree in a white pot

    Buy or rent a living tree

    Consider purchasing a potted, living tree that can be planted after the holidays.

  • Multiple sprigs of evergreen in a short ceramic mug

    Reuse decorations

    Repurpose holiday wreath and garland frames by updating them with fresh greenery instead of buying new each year.

  • Two small children and an adult walk amongst a Christmas tree farm

    Support local tree farms

    Buying a tree from a local farm not only supports your community but also reduces the carbon footprint of transporting trees long distances.

Thank you for celebrating sustainably!

Recycling or composting your Christmas tree and holiday greenery is a simple, eco-friendly way to give back to nature after the holidays. Whether you participate in a local treecycling program, compost at home, or repurpose your greenery, you'll be making a positive environmental impact.

Let’s keep the holiday spirit going by choosing sustainable practices that benefit the planet!