Explore ways to recycle your Christmas tree post holiday season - CNYcentral.com

Explore ways to recycle your Christmas tree post holiday season | WSTM

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It's almost time to take down the ornaments and the lights. Some like Nikolaus Campbell won’t start taking down decorations until January but he's resourceful when it comes time to dispose of his tree.

"Last year I just let it dry out and then I chopped it up to make fires in the back yard and then I saved the trunk to see if I could build or do something with it."

The National Christmas Tree Association executive director, Tim O’Connor said to not throw out real trees in the trash since they easily can be reused and recycled.

“Most often, they're turned into mulch by chopping," O'Connor said.

Christmas tree recycling lets you reuse your tree in ways that will benefit wildlife and your garden. You can recycle it to be used for mulch, drop it off at your local recycling center, or cut the tree to be used as yard waste.

O’Connor advises not to burn it in the fireplace, "If you were to burn it in a fireplace or a stove where there is a chimney or fuel exhaust system, the sap will create potential fire issues in there. You just don't want to burn green wood ever."

The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) said if your municipality doesn't offer a tree pick-up service, you can drop it off at one of OCRRA's two compost sites: Amboy, and Jamesville. Drop-offs can be made Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Jan. 2-12. They grind the trees into mulch that people can purchase for planting and landscaping in the spring.

“I just wasn't sure when they were supposed to pick it up. I know the town will compost it. So, I'll probably just take it to OCRRA this year,” said Campbell.

In Syracuse, DPW will be picking up curbside for the entire month of January.

OCRRA said artificial trees do not belong at OCRRA Compost Sites. Some thrift stores will take them as donations, with conditions. As for real trees, there is no cost, just make sure to remove the decorations and lights from them.

A link to OCRRA’s website can be found here.