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.
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.
Many cities and towns have tree collection services or drop-off locations.
These trees are often chipped into mulch or composted.
Recycling programs usually start right after Christmas and continue into mid-January.
Be sure to confirm the dates in your area.
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.
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.
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.
Just like other yard waste, greenery can be composted if it is completely natural and all decorations have been removed.
You can chop the trunk into firewood for yourself or others. However, make sure the wood is dried out properly before burning.
In your own backyard or through a local organization, clean evergreen can be used to create brush habitats for wildlife.
Rent or borrow a wood chipper to turn your tree into mulch that can be used in your garden beds or walkways.
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.
Consider purchasing a potted, living tree that can be planted after the holidays.
Repurpose holiday wreath and garland frames by updating them with fresh greenery instead of buying new each year.
Buying a tree from a local farm not only supports your community but also reduces the carbon footprint of transporting trees long distances.
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!
