Each year more than 6 million Christmas trees are thrown away in the United States. Each of these trees take years to decompose in a landfill and release harmful methane gases in to the atmosphere during the process. There are better ways to throw away Christmas trees than taking them to a dumpster! Affordable Roll-Offs is here to help show you how!
Check out the complete guide to Christmas tree disposal below:
Step 1: Remove All Decorations From Tree
This step may seem obvious, however it is surprising how many Christmas trees are thrown out with decorations on them. Be sure to remove all lights, ornaments, garland, popcorn, or whatever else your decorate your tree with before getting rid of it!
Step 2: Check Out Local Disposal Options
Many cities offer Christmas tree drop-off locations or even Christmas tree pick-up days. Rather than trying to fit a large tree in a garbage can, opt for one of these options. Check out the list below for more information about Christmas tree disposal options in your city:
Information below courtesy of PickYourOwnChristmasTree.Org
Arvada
The City Parks Maintenance Shop at 7800 W. 62nd Avenue is accepting trees 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Friday, beginning Wednesday, December 26, 2018 thru January 18, 2019.
Lake Arbor Lake Park at 6400 Pomona Drive is accepting trees beginning Wednesday, December 26, 2018 thru January 21, 2019. No restricted days or times.
Stenger Fields at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street is accepting trees beginning Wednesday, December 26, 2018 thru January 21, 2019. No restricted days or times.
Aurora
Residents can recycle their Christmas trees at one of three local drop-off sites. Drop off your Christmas tree anytime from Dec. 26 to Jan. 8 for recycling at the following locations:
Del Mar Park, East Sixth Avenue and Peoria Street (west parking lot)
Olympic Park, 15501 E. Yale Ave. (east of Chambers Road)
Saddle Rock Golf Course, 21705 E. Arapahoe Road
Boulder
Drop off your tree at the Yard Waste and Wood Drop-off Center or Curbside collection also available. 303-444-2037.
Delta County
Delta Solid Waste Management Authority (DSWMA) operates the recycling center for Delta County. They recycle Christmas trees from December 26 through January 26, Monday to Wednesday 8 am to 3 pm, Saturday 8 am to noon.
Colorado Springs
Please recycle your Christmas tree at one of the locations listed below:
December 29 & 30, 2018 and January 5 & 6, 2019; from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at:
Baptist Road Trailhead (Baptist Road & Old Denver Highway)
Falcon Trailhead (SW of Woodmen Road & McLaughlin Road)
Cottonwood Creek Park (Dublin Blvd. & Montarbor Drive)
Sky Sox Stadium (Barnes Road & Tutt Blvd.)
Rock Ledge Ranch (Gateway Road & 30th Street)
Memorial Park (Pikes Peak Avenue & Union Blvd.)
Denver
Residents in the city of Denver are able to set their Christmas tree out with their regular trash collection days thanks to Treecycle. For more information check out the Denver City Website.
Douglas County
Drop-off dates: Dec. 26 through Jan. 31,
Locations:
Bayou Gulch, 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, Parker
Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock
Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St.
Castle Rock, Drop-off dates: Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, Hours: Anytime, Mulch: Available to the public at Metzler Ranch Park while supplies last.
Founders Park, 4671 Enderud Blvd
Metzler Ranch Community Park , 4175 Trail Boss Drive
Paintbrush Park, 3492 Meadows Blvd.
Contact Information: Douglas County Parks at 720-733-6990.
Highlands Ranch
Drop-off dates: Dec. 25 through Jan. 17, 2020.
Locations:
Dad Clark Park, 3385 Asterbrook Cir.
Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Cir.
Toepfer Park, 9480 Venneford Ranch Rd.
Contact Information: Highlands Ranch Metro District at 303-791-0430
Parker
Drop-off dates: Dec. 25 through Jan. 29
Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Location:
Salisbury Park (East paved parking lot), 12010 S. Motsenbocker Rd.
Contact Information: Town of Parker at 303-840-9546
Step 3: Drop Off Christmas Tree and Do A Happy Dance
Once you have found a Christmas tree drop off location that is nearby, strap the tree down to your vehicle and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way. Finish with a happy dance – you made a good decision to not simply put the tree in the trash!
Other Ideas to Get Rid Of Christmas Trees
- Composting
- If you currently compost it is perfectly fine to put a natural Christmas tree into the pile! Make sure it is free of any unnatural decor before tossing it in the compost!
- Mulch
- Another great way to responsibly get rid of your Christmas tree is to turn it in to mulch. A quick run through a mulcher will quickly turn your tree into valuable planting material!
- Get Crafty!
- Getting creative with DIY projects is a great way to reuse your Christmas tree. Turn the trunk of the tree into rustic pot holders or ornaments!
- Replant!
- If your tree is smaller or came in a pot, there is a good chance there are roots still intact! Plant the tree outside and watch it grow in to a beautiful addition to your landscape!
- Use it as a natural air freshener!
- The bows of Christmas trees are a great way to freshen the air in any room, A quick way to fill the room with the festive scent? Place a few bows into simmering water on the stove and breathe in the holiday memories!
- Fuel for the fire place!
- If you have a wood-burning outdoor fireplace, the Christmas tree is the perfect fuel for any fire! Simply cut the tree into chunks and keep the fire burning. Be sure to only burn outside. When Christmas trees burn they release a highly-flammable gas that can increase the chances of a chimney fire.
For other ideas on how to get rid of your Christmas tree check out this article from a local landscaping company!
