How to properly dispose of your Christmas tree

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Published  December 26, 2024 6:46pm EST
FOX 13 News
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How to properly dispose of a Christmas tree

FOX 13's Briona Arradondo reports how residents are being advised to dispose of their Christmas trees in Hillsborough County.

The Brief

    • Hillsborough County officials provide residents with a checklist of things to do for their Christmas tree to be picked up for removal.
    • Hillsborough County officials say it is essential to follow these guidelines to help preserve the environment.
    • Residents not eligible for tree pickups can drop their Christmas trees off at the waist collection yard.

TAMPA, Fla. - With all the presents gone from underneath the Christmas tree, solid waste crews are sharing do’s and don’ts for how to dispose of live Christmas trees this holiday season properly.

Many families tend to keep up their Christmas tree and decorations until after New Year’s Day. 

Christmas tree left for pickup.

"For fire safety reasons, once you start to see the needles turn brown and drop, it’s probably a good time to take your tree out there," said Stephanie Watson, the section manager of sustainable materials management at Hillsborough County Solid Waste.

READ: Two Citrus County women rescued after spending Christmas at bottom of quarry 

But before the tree goes out to the curb, residents will need to check off a list and check the tree twice for solid waste crews.

"We just ask that they cut the tree into four-foot-long by six-inch wide sections and remove all of the lights and decorations," said Watson. You can find details on Hillsborough County’s disposal guidelines here.

That includes any popcorn and tinsel. Pinellas County and Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay region said they take those bare Christmas trees and turn them into mulch.

"Basically, we use what's called a top grinder. It's a giant, basically a giant food processor. We put all of the yard waste and trees into that grinder. It grinds up all of it into mulch," said Ashley Wyland, the environmental outreach specialist of Pinellas County Solid Waste.

READ: Man critically hurt in fire at Pinellas County home

Reusing the trees keeps them out of packed landfills.

"It’s important to dispose of trees properly because in Hillsborough County, our landfill and our waste energy. They’re at capacity," said Watson.

Christmas tree left for pickup.

So, the process helps not only the environment but also residents.

READ: Watch video of high-speed chase on Pinellas highway that led to DUI arrest: FHP

"They can use that mulch in their yards for their plants and things like that," said Wyland

If dropping off your tree isn’t an option, many municipalities offer free curbside pick on your normal yard waste collection day.

"They can also reach out to their city if they want to get directly to them for information. Sometimes it's also on their websites as well, but they can use our search tool to find the best instructions for their city or any unincorporated areas," said Wyland. You can find that website here. 

Cities and counties are starting to pick up live Christmas trees now through the beginning of the new year.

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