Every year after the holidays, people wonder how to dispose of their natural Christmas trees. There are several options, some more sustainable than others. This guide will explore the recommended ways to dispose of your natural Christmas tree after the holidays.
-Curbside Pickup: Many towns and counties offer curbside pickup for natural Christmas trees. This option is convenient but check with your local waste management company for specific instructions. They may require the tree to be free of decorations and cut to a certain size.
-Drop-Off Locations: Some communities have designated drop-off locations for natural Christmas trees. These locations may be at transfer stations, recycling centers, or even hardware stores. Again, check with your city government and local waste management companies to see if they have such a program.
-Dune Restoration Projects: Certain organizations coordinating with municipalities use natural Christmas trees for dune restoration projects. These trees help trap sand and rebuild dunes. Although we’ve not identified any of our North Florida Beach communities with such a program, we contacted the Atlantic Beach Environmental Stewardship Committee about possibly starting one. We’ve also contacted Fort Macon State Park Ranger Randy Newman about their dune restoration program in Atlantic Beach, NC. And shared details from Kelly Reetz, Natural Resource Planner with Alabama State Parks about their dune restoration program using Christmas trees. We don’t expect anything to get done in this regard for this Christmas, but hopefully in the coming years.
-Mulching Programs: Some communities and businesses have programs that turn natural Christmas trees into mulch. This mulch can then be used for landscaping purposes. Check with your local waste management company or parks department to see if they offer a mulching program. We’ve considered starting one ourselves.
-Wildlife Habitat: You can also create a wildlife habitat in your backyard by placing your natural Christmas tree in a secluded area. This will provide shelter for birds and other small animals.
-Composting: If you have a compost pile, add your natural Christmas tree to it. However, you may need to cut the tree into smaller pieces first. Be sure to remove all decorations and tinsel before composting.
There are many ways to sustainably dispose of your natural Christmas tree after the holidays. The most eco-friendly options are curbside pickup for mulching programs, donation to dune restoration projects, or creating a wildlife habitat in your backyard. No matter which option you choose, be sure to remove all decorations and tinsel from your tree before disposal. Thank you for using natural Christmas trees, which support American farmers, smell wonderful during the holidays, and are better for the environment than the imported plastic varieties.
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