Christmas Trees (Real) Green Waste Christmas trees can be cut into smaller pieces and placed in the green waste cart for curbside collection. Make sure all decorations are removed and the tree fits inside the cart with the lid closed. Flocked trees are not accepted. Free Christmas tree recycling is also available at the Lake County Transfer Station & Recycling Center during the two weeks following Christmas. Please remove all lights and decorations. Remove All Ornaments, Lights and Tinsel Before you recycle your live Christmas tree, make sure that it is free of all ornaments, lights and tinsel. Flocked Trees Are Not Recyclable If your tree has flocking (sprayed-on fake snow), it can’t be recycled and will have to go in the trash instead. Ways to Reduce Decorate a Potted Tree Instead It may be unconventional, but skipping the traditional Christmas tree (real or fake) altogether and decorating a potted tree you’ve bought or have in your home is a truly green way to have a tree for the holidays. Buy a Rooted Tree and Plant It After the Holidays Next holiday season, buy a tree with roots (it can be balled and burlap or containerized) and plant it in your yard after you use it. Did You Know? Christmas Trees as Job Creators According to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), the Christmas tree industry employs more than 100,000 people in the United States. The Environmental Benefits of Christmas Trees Although they’re planted just to be cut down and used as a decoration once they’ve reached maturity, Christmas tree farms have a positive impact on the environment. Each acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for the daily needs of 18 people.
