Recycle your Christmas tree

BLOOMINGTON – The holidays are over and now it is time to get rid of your Christmas tree.

You can drop it off at any of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District (District)
recycling centers to be recycled. Trees are then turned into mulch.

Or you could put cut trees in a brush pile, which serves as a sheltered area for wildlife. As the tree decomposes, it
gradually returns valuable nutrients to the soil.

The District partners with Republic Services and Good Earth LLC, to provide holiday tree recycling through January
8, 2022.

Natural trees, wreaths, and garlands will be accepted at all five District recycling centers.

Before dropping off trees for recycling, all decorations, including, but not limited to, ornaments, lights, artificial snow, garland, and tinsel must be removed. NO Artificial Trees will be accepted for recycling.


Community Outreach Coordinator Elisa Pokral reminds the public that, “Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.”

As the National Tree Association reports, “Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead. North American real Christmas trees are growing in all 50 states and Canada.

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, “Eighty percent of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China.”
Therefore, Pokral explains, “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 through January 8, 2022, as follows:

  • The South Walnut Recycling Center at 3400 South Walnut Street Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
  • Rural Recycling Centers Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm
  • 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