Recycling Your Christmas Tree

As part of your “Green Christmas” this year, make sure you are recycling your tree after the holiday. The first step is to remove everything from your tree including tinsel and any ornaments or plastic. Here are a couple suggestions for what you can do!

–If you have a backyard, you can put the tree outside and make a nice little habitat for wildlife and shelter for birds. You can even add little treats!

–Christmas trees make great mulch for gardens and flower beds.

–Call your local recycling center to see if they have a seasonal Christmas tree recycling program. Many cities and towns turn the trees into mulch for use at parks and around trees in the spring.

–If your town doesn’t offer a tree recycling program, try organizing a collection yourself! Here are some tips from Earth 911

If you have any other creative ideas please share them with everyone in the comments section! More green Christmas ideas to come….

The Coalition urges consumers to buy a real Christmas Tree this season. Here are some things to consider when making your choice this holiday!

—Artificial Christmas trees were recently added to the Center for Health, Environment & Justice’s list of household products containing polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.

—Real Christmas trees decompose rather than accumulating in landfills for hundreds of years and do not emit toxic chemicals when burned. They are often recycled and turned into mulch for use in parks and some states use them for erosion control. Check with your local government for a recycling program in your area.

—Real Christmas trees are natural products of the U.S., contributing to the nation’s economy.

—Real Christmas trees are a renewable resource. They are harvested like any other farm crop, and for every tree that is cut, one to two are planted in its place. They contribute to the environment by providing a habitat for wildlife and creating oxygen.

Happy Picking!!