How to Recycle Christmas Trees
Natural Christmas trees after the holidays.
Quick answer
A real, undecorated Christmas tree is chipped into mulch by most cities' January tree programs. Strip off all lights, ornaments, tinsel, netting, and the stand first, then use curbside pickup, a drop-off site, or a scheduled event like NYC's Mulchfest. Flocked (fake-snow) and artificial trees are turned away by these programs and go out with regular trash.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- 1Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and netting
- 2Remove the tree stand and any nails or screws
- 3Never put the tree out in a plastic bag
- 4Cut oversized trees into sections if your program requires it
- 5Check your city's specific pickup dates, since most limit collection to a few weeks in January
- 6If your tree is flocked or artificial, set it out with regular trash instead, since mulching programs reject both
- Municipal collection programs
- Tree farms
- Mulch producers
- Parks departments
Flocked trees, sprayed with fake snow, and artificial trees are excluded from essentially every municipal tree-mulching program, confirmed by programs like NYC Parks' Mulchfest and local sanitation departments elsewhere. For an artificial tree, some cities ask you to pull the metal base for scrap-metal recycling and trash the rest.
Chipped trees become mulch or are used for erosion control and habitat projects, keeping a bulky item out of landfills during the one week a year it's generated in volume.
Not Accepted
- Flocked (fake-snow) trees
- Artificial trees
- Trees left in plastic bags
- Trees with lights, ornaments, or stands still attached
How do I dispose of a Christmas tree?
Most cities chip real trees into mulch through January tree programs. Strip off everything first, then use curbside pickup, a drop-off site, or a scheduled event such as NYC's Mulchfest.
What has to come off before the tree is collected?
All lights, ornaments, tinsel, netting, and the stand. Tinsel and netting are the usual reasons a tree gets rejected, because they shred into the mulch and cannot be picked out afterwards.
Can flocked trees be recycled?
No. Trees with artificial snow are turned away by mulching programs, because the flocking is not organic material. A flocked tree goes out with regular trash.
What about artificial trees?
They are not recyclable through tree programs either, since they mix PVC, metal, and sometimes wiring. A usable artificial tree is far better donated, because it will be used for years by someone else.
What happens to the mulch?
It generally goes to parks, trails, and municipal landscaping, and many programs let residents take some away free. Some coastal areas use collected trees for dune stabilisation instead of chipping them.
Can I deal with the tree myself?
Yes, if you have space. Branches can be cut for garden mulch or winter plant cover, and the trunk seasons into firewood given a year to dry. Do not burn a fresh tree indoors, since the resin and moisture make it a chimney fire risk.
Recycling centers that accept Christmas Trees
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept christmas trees. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.