DNREC reminds residents Christmas tree recycling carries on for 2017-18
DNREC encourages Delawareans to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by delivering their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities. Christmas trees will be accepted free of charge for recycling from Delaware residents at Sussex facilities. DNREC also offers the reminder that Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at any of DNREC's Delaware State Parks.
"Recycling Christmas trees has been an environmentally-friendly tradition for many years in the state, and we hope that Delawareans continue that tradition this holiday season," said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.
Residents can bring their trees as late as Jan. 28, 2018, but should contact a facility beforehand for specific hours and details. Trees will not be accepted from commercial haulers or tree vendors without prior approval. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal tree stands, must be removed from all trees before dropping them off for recycling.
Only Christmas trees from Delaware residents will be accepted for free. Facilities may charge a fee for other yard waste. Other locations throughout the state also accept Christmas trees for recycling for a fee. Many entities collect or accept Christmas trees, including various waste haulers and landscapers. Regular trash hauler may offer special collections for Christmas trees in January. There may also be municipal or regional collection or drop-off events. Christmas trees may be dropped off by Delaware residents for free at the following locations:
Sussex sites include:
• Blessings Greenhouses, 9372 Draper Road, Milford; phone 302-393-3273. Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.*
• Blue Hen Organics, 33529 Fox Run Road, Frankford; phone 302-732-3211. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
• Grizzly's Landscape Supply Service, 14680 Coastal Hwy., Milton; phone 302-644-0654. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
• Mr. Mulch, 22288 Coverdale Road, Seaford; phone 302-629-5737. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
• Millville Organic Center, Whites Neck Road, Millville; phone 302-423-2601. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.* Closed Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2018
• Selbyville Mulch, Stone, & Soil (free for active customers within the last six months) 38205 DuPont Blvd., Selbyville; phone 302-436-8286. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
• Stockley Materials, 25136 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown; phone 302-856-7601. Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.*
• Call ahead as businesses may alter their hours of operation around the holidays.
Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space. Over 200,000 tons of yard waste composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn maintenance and landscaped materials were recycled in Delaware during 2016. Prior to Delaware's yard waste bans, many of these materials - considered a resource for composting and reuse rather than waste - were deposited in landfills, taking up valuable space and limiting local markets for mulch and compost products.
For information on other yard waste drop-off sites in Delaware, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste or call 302-739-9403 Ext.1.
