(BLOOMINGTON) – You will probably pay more money this year for your holiday tree due to a shortage of them in some places around the U.S. so how can you put your cut tree to good use after you take it down?
If you can’t use it in a brush pile, a sheltered area for wildlife that returns valuable nutrients into the earth, recycle it!
The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District (“District”) partners with Republic Services and Good Earth LLC, to provide holiday tree recycling from December 26, 2019, through January 11, 2020.
Natural trees, wreaths, and garlands will be accepted at all five District recycling centers. Before dropping off trees for recycling, please remove all decorations, including, but not limited to, ornaments, lights, artificial snow, garland, and tinsel.
NO ARTIFICIAL TREES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR RECYCLING.
The District reminds the public that real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. As the National Tree Association reports, “Artificial trees contain non-bio-degradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead. North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada.
According to the U.S. Commerce Department, “Eighty percent of artificial
trees worldwide are manufactured in China.” Therefore, it’s best to purchase either a live tree to plant or a cut tree, rather than an artificial tree.
Trees will be accepted for recycling at the following locations during normal business hours between the dates of December 26, 2019, and January 11, 2020 as follows:
- THE SOUTH WALNUT RECYCLING CENTER (3400 South Walnut Street Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
- RURAL RECYCLING CENTERS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- The Ellettsville Recycling Center, 6200 North Matthews Drive
- The Westside Recycling Center, 341 North Oard Road, (off St. Rd. 48, west of 37)
- The Southside Recycling Center, 400 West Dillman Road, (1/8 mile west of 37)
- The Northeast Recycling Center, 6015 East State Road 45, New Unionville, off E. Bethel Lane
The National Tree Association education “quick tree facts” web page reports:
- There are approximately 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S.
- Every year, 4,000 local Christmas Tree recycling programs throughout the U.S.
- For every real Christmas tree harvested; 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.
- There are about 250,000 acres in production for growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., much of it preserving green space.
- There are close to 15,000 farms growing Christmas Trees in the U.S., and more than 100,000 people are employed full or part-time in the industry.
- It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6-7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.
- The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington.
For more information on recycling holiday trees, call the District at 349-2020 or refer to the District’s Facebook page.
