Christmas trees may be recycled through Jan. 28

DNREC encourages Delawareans to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by taking their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities all over the state. Christmas trees will be accepted free of charge for recycling from Delaware residents at a number of facilities listed below; other drop-off sites may charge a fee as noted. DNREC also reminds residents that Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at any of its Delaware State Parks.

“Recycling Christmas trees has been an environmentally friendly tradition for many years, and we hope that Delawareans will continue that tradition this holiday season,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.

Residents can bring in their trees until Monday, Jan. 28, but they 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, flocking (fake snow), 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 will be accepted free from Delaware residents. Facilities may charge a fee for other yard waste. Other locations in Delaware, including some businesses, waste haulers, and landscapers, also accept Christmas trees for recycling for a fee. Also, some regular trash haulers may offer special collection dates for Christmas trees in January, and municipal or regional collection or drop-off events may be held in some areas.

Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space in Delaware. More than 180,000 tons of yard waste, including grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn maintenance and landscaped materials, was recycled in 2017. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, 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.

Christmas trees may be dropped off at these area locations:

Stockley Materials, free Christmas tree recycling, 25136 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 302-856-7601.

Millville Organic Center, free Christmas tree recycling, Whites Neck Road (half-mile north of Route 26) Millville. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 302-423-2601.

Grizzly’s Landscape Supply Service, recycling fee $10 per tree, 14680 Coastal Highway, Milton. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 302-644-0654.

For more information about yard waste, including drop-off sites, go to www.de.gov/yardwaste, or call 302-739-9403, Ext.1.