The presents are unwrapped, the decorations are being boxed up, and the Christmas tree is bare. Rather than just throw the tree away or let it wither in the backyard, why not go green and allow your community to recycle your tree for you? Your local community already has a recycling program in place. Many neighborhoods with automated garbage collection will recycle your tree on a designated “tree waste” pickup day, and will remove your flock and artificial trees on a “junk” pickup day. Local boy scout troops will often pick up your tree and dispose of it for you as well.
Aside from these, each county in the Houston area has a recycling program in place for live Christmas trees. Each county has a different program that they use, with different drop-off locations and pickup options. See below to find out how to dispose of your tree to help out your county!
Harris County The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department has teamed up with Living Earth Techonologies to recycle Christmas trees into mulch. There are many different drop-off locations throughout the Houston area. Visit the Houston Christmas Tree Recycling site for complete drop-off locations, dates and hours.
Galveston County Galveston county encourages its residents to compost their trees in the form of mulch. The mulch will be used for spring landscaping around the county, and they could use a lot more! To donate your tree to this cause, you may drop it off at the City Recycling Center, 702 61st St. or the open-top Dumpster at the base of the UTMB water tower at Holiday and Harborside drives. The center will be closed January 1. For center drop-off information, contact Keith Ware at 409-789-1378. For UTMB drop-off information, contact Steblein at 409-747-2959. If you would prefer to have your tree picked up at your curb, contact Kevin Matthews at 409-741-6046.
Brazoria County Brazoria county is fighting sand dune damage caused by hurricane Ike. Every year, thousands of Christmas trees are staked in the sand to aid in the restoration of the sand dunes. To donate your tree to this cause, you may drop your tree off at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center at 5800 Magnolia Street. They will be accepting trees from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Trees must be delivered by Jan. 7. Trees can also be left at the main entrance of Surfside Beach or at any county precinct barn.
Montgomery County Trees can be dropped at Montgomery County Recycling and Reuse Facility at 1122 Pruitt Road in Spring from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The facility is closed Saturday through Monday. The Woodlands Waste Management Services will recycle undecorated live trees left on the curb on scheduled garbage collection days. For flock and artificial trees, pick up can be scheduled by calling 800-800-5804.
Fort Bend County Curbside tree collection in Fort Bend County will occur on the regularly scheduled “green waste” day for those with automated garbage collection. Only undecorated live trees accepted (no flock or artificial trees). No matter where you are, there is a place that you can take your tree to help out your community. Don’t let your Christmas tree get thrown away!