Deck the Halls…Then Recycle Them: Your Guide to Christmas Tree Disposal in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

 

The holidays are over, the gifts unwrapped, and now you’re left with one last festive remnant: your Christmas tree. Don’t just toss it to the curb! Proper disposal is key for environmental sustainability. This guide provides everything you need to know about Christmas tree recycling and disposal in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Why Recycle Your Christmas Tree?

Recycling your Christmas tree is an eco-friendly choice. Instead of ending up in a landfill, your tree can be transformed into valuable resources like mulch and compost, enriching soil and benefiting local ecosystems. Many localities even offer this mulch back to residents for their own gardens!

Christmas Tree Disposal in Washington, D.C.

D.C. offers several options for Christmas tree disposal:

• Drop-off Locations: From January 3rd to March 2nd, you can drop off your tree at one of three designated locations:
  • 201 Bryant St., NW
  • 3600 Calvert St., NW
  • 2700 S Capital St., SE
• Curbside Pickup: Starting Friday, December 27th and continuing through February 28th, place your tree curbside (free of lights, tinsel, and ornaments) on your regular trash day for collection.
• Artificial Trees: The District encourages donating artificial trees or scheduling a bulk trash pickup.

Key takeaway for DC: Curbside pickup is available for an extended period, making it a convenient option.

Christmas Tree Disposal in Maryland

Maryland counties have varying procedures:

• Prince George’s County: Place your tree curbside by 6 AM on Mondays for collection. You can also drop it off at the Brown Station Road Drop-off Convenience Center at 3501 Brown Station Rd., Upper Marlboro.
• Montgomery County: Trees are collected year-round on recycling days. Set your tree curbside by 7 AM. Collected trees are composted or mulched.

Key takeaway for Maryland: Check your specific county's guidelines for collection days and times.

Christmas Tree Disposal in Virginia

Virginia localities also have specific guidelines:

• Arlington: Place your tree curbside before 6 AM from Monday, January 6th through Friday, January 17th. Recycled trees are turned into free mulch available for residents at County facilities. Trees over eight feet tall must be cut down before collection.
• Falls Church: Collection happens on Thursday, January 2nd, and every subsequent Wednesday in January. However, placing trees out within the first two weeks ensures timely pickup. Apartment and condo residents with private trash services should take trees to the brush collection area at 4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax.
• Alexandria: Place your tree out on your regularly scheduled trash day. The trees will be mulched and made available for resident pickup in the spring.
• Fairfax County: Place your tree curbside by 6 AM on your trash day during the first two weeks of January. All decorations must be removed.

Key takeaway for Virginia: Timing is crucial in many Virginia localities, so be sure to check the specific dates for your area.

Preparing Your Tree for Disposal

Regardless of your location, follow these essential tips to prepare your Christmas tree for disposal:

• Remove all decorations: This includes ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, and tree stands.
• Do not place trees in plastic bags: This hinders the recycling process.
• Check for size restrictions: Some localities have limits on tree length, requiring you to cut larger trees into smaller sections.

Disposing of your Christmas tree responsibly is easy when you know the rules. By following these guidelines for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, you can ensure your holiday evergreen has a second life as a valuable resource. So, after the holidays, remember to recycle your tree and contribute to a greener community!