Free Christmas tree recycling event Jan. 6 will help the Delaware Center for Horticulture

Many people prefer a real Christmas tree for the look and scent and the family tradition, but after the holidays, where do you dispose of it?

One free option that will help the environment and the Delaware Center for Horticulture is “TreeCycle” Saturday, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the center’s parking lot, 1810 N. Dupont Street, Wilmington. The rain date is Sunday, Jan. 7.

The center is teaming up with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to encourage residents to recycle their trees.

The Davey Tree Expert Company will use its chipper/grinder to produce wood chips that will be used in Delaware Center for Horticulture gardens, the Shearman Street community garden and other public landscaping projects throughout Wilmington. Republic Services is also supporting this program.

Remember to remove all decorations and the stand before bringing the tree.

The service is free but donations will be accepted to benefit the Center for Horticulture’s community forestry efforts.

More options to recycle your tree

If you can’t attend “TreeCycle” or chip up your tree for mulch, there are a variety of ways to dispose of it.

Many towns and cities offer Christmas tree pickup for residents. Call your municipality or check its website for information.

For residents outside town limits, check with your trash hauler to see if Christmas trees can be picked up after the holidays.

Some landscaping businesses will accept real Christmas trees to turn into mulch, sometimes for free but sometimes for a fee.

Delaware Solid Waste Authority sites in each county accept real Christmas trees for a fee.

For the Solid Waste Authority sites and some of the businesses that accept trees, see the list on the DNREC website at https://dnrec.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/yard-waste/drop-off-sites/

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No trees accepted at landfills

Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, many recyclable and reusable resources such as grass, leaves, brush and Christmas trees were often sent to landfills instead of being used for mulch and compost.

More than 176,000 tons of yard waste were recycled in 2021, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.