Christmas tree recycling program under way in Sussex

Delawareans are encouraged to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by delivering their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities. Many of the facilities will accept the trees for free; they are listed below. Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at any Delaware state park locations.

Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling through Jan. 26 from families only at the facilities listed below. 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.

“Many Delawareans have been recycling their Christmas trees for many years and we encourage everyone to establish or continue this eco-friendly tradition,” said Bill Miller, program manager in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Section. “Recycling these trees that are a product of nature is a wonderful way of giving back to the environment.”

Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space. At least 18 percent of residential waste is composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn maintenance and landscaped materials. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, 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.

Many entities collect Christmas trees, including various waste haulers and landscapers. Regular trash hauler may provide one-time collection for Christmas trees in January. For a partial listing of entities that collect Christmas trees and other yard waste go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste and click on “Yard waste collection options.”

Christmas trees, stripped of all decorations and detached from tree stands, can be dropped off by Delaware residents for free at any of the following locations:

• Blue Hen Organics, 33529 Fox Run Road, Frankford; 302-732-3211;
hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Jan. 1.

• Grizzly’s Landscape Supply Service, 18412 The Narrow Road, Lewes; 302-644-0654; hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Jan. 1.

• Kaye Construction, 22288 Coverdale Road, Seaford; 302-629-7483;
hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed through Jan. 1.

hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; closed Jan. 1.

• Stockley Materials, 25136 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown; 302-856-7601; hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Jan. 1.

• Sussex Tree Inc. Garden Center, 20144 John J. Williams Highway, Lewes; 302-645-6262; hours:  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Jan. 1.
Private businesses accepting trees may alter their hours of operation during the holidays.

Facilities that charge a fee for dropping off other yard waste will continue to charge regular rates for recycling other yard waste during this time - only Christmas trees will be recycled for free.

Other locations also accept Christmas trees for recycling for a fee. For information on all yard waste drop-off sites in Delaware, go to
www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste and click “Yard waste drop-off options.”

For more information about yard waste, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste or call 302-739-9403.