

The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Your “Real” Christmas
Tree

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it also leaves behind a lot of waste One of the biggest post-holiday concerns is what to do with your Christmas tree. Recycling your Christmas tree is an environmentally friendly choice and a way to give back to nature after the festivities have concluded Here’s why recycling your tree matters in the Delaware Estuary, and how you can take steps to do so in Delaware, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Why Recycle Your Christmas Tree?
1. Creates Mulch and Compost: Christmas trees can be mulched, which can be used in parks, gardens, and landscaping projects. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and enrich the soil
Reduces Landfill Waste: Every year, millions of Christmas trees end up in landfills, taking up valuable space and contributing to methane emissions as they decompose. Recycling ensures your tree is repurposed instead of adding to waste
2. Supports Coastal Restoration: In some areas, recycled trees are used in environmental projects, such as stabilizing sand dunes and preventing coastal erosion. The trees act as natural barriers to protect shorelines
3. Provides Habitat for Wildlife: Old Christmas trees can be sunk in ponds or lakes to create habitats for fish and other aquatic life. On land, they can be placed in forests to provide shelter for small animals
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4. Promotes a Circular Economy: By recycling your tree, you’re ensuring that its life cycle continues in a productive way, reducing the need for synthetic materials and helping the environment.
Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Here are specific options in Delaware, New Jersey, and Philadelphia:
Delaware:
Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites: The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) accepts Christmas trees at designated yard waste drop-off sites. These sites usually start accepting trees right after Christmas and continue through January
Locations: Polly Drummond Hill Road Site in Newark, Sandtown Landfill, and Cheswold Collection Station.
Fees: Often free for Delaware residents; check the DSWA website for details.
Holiday Tree Drop off at Bombay Hook: Want to help restore a salt marsh? You can bring your real, decoration free (no tinsel please!) holiday tree Dec. 27 through Jan. 13. It will be used in a project to help trap sediment and build up the marsh at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Smyrna For more information call 302-595-1609
Community Recycling Programs: Many local municipalities in Delaware offer curbside Christmas tree pickup or drop-off events. Check with your local town hall or waste management department for schedules
New Jersey:
County Recycling Centers: Many counties in New Jersey, such as Camden, Burlington, and Monmouth, have specific programs for Christmas tree recycling Trees are usually chipped into mulch for public parks or landscaping projects.
Example: Monmouth County’s Christmas tree recycling program at county parks.
Municipal Curbside Pickup: Most towns in New Jersey offer curbside Christmas tree pickup in January. Confirm with your local Department of Public Works for guidelines and pickup dates.
Beaches and Dunes Restoration: Some coastal towns in New Jersey use recycled Christmas trees for dune restoration projects Contact your local environmental department to see if they’re participating.
Philadelphia:
Christmas Tree Recycling Program: The Philadelphia Department of Sanitation runs an annual Christmas tree recycling program from Jan 6 through 18 While the program is running, you may bring your Christmas tree to one of several designated locations or to a sanitation convenience center. For more information visit: https://www.phila.gov/services/trash-recyclingcity-upkeep/dispose-of-christmas-trees/
Community Groups: Some neighborhoods organize tree chipping events where you can bring your tree and receive free mulch in return.
Check out Philly Goat Project’s 2025 Tree-Cycle Festival on Saturday, Jan. 4 (Rain date: Jan. 5) and Saturday, Jan 11 (Rain date: Jan 12) Donated Christmas trees provide delicious snacks for the goats and what they don’t eat is turned into wood chips for trails in city parks and community gardens, thanks to a partnership with the Philadelphia Sanitation Department. A $20 donation per tree is suggested For more information on times and location, visit: www.phillygoatproject.org
How to Prepare Your Tree for Recycling
Before recycling your tree, make sure it’s free of all family cats, decorations, tinsel, lights, and stand Artificial trees, flocked trees (those with artificial snow), and trees with excessive decorations cannot usually be recycled through these programs.
A Simple Act, A Big Impact
Recycling your Christmas tree is a simple way to make a big environmental impact and to create a healthier Delaware Estuary. It reduces waste, supports sustainable practices, and contributes to environmental restoration projects that are taking place in your local community As you take down your holiday decorations, consider the benefits of tree recycling and choose one of the options available in your area. Together, we can make the season of giving extend to the benefit of our planet!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
