BLOOMINGTON – Holiday trees can do more than give us good cheer during the holidays. After you’ve enjoyed your tree after the winter gift-giving season ends, give it back to the environment. Drop it off at any of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District (District) recycling centers to be recycled. The trees are chipped up and transformed into useful mulch.
But you could also put the trees in a brush pile, which serves as a shelter for wildlife. As the tree decomposes, it gradually returns valuable nutrients to the soil.
The District partners with Republic Services and Good Earth LLC will provide holiday tree recycling from December 26, 2022, through January 14, 2023. 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
then an artificial tree.”
Trees will be accepted for recycling at the following locations during normal business hours between the dates of December 26, 2022, and January 14, 2023, 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, and Saturday 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 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
Here are some other ideas for recycling your tree:
- Mulch with pine needles
- Create a bird sanctuary with the boughs
- Insulate perennials with the boughs
- Edge your garden or walkways with the trunk
- Use small branches to support indoor potted plants or stake leggy seedlings
- Shelter fish with branches
- Set a stage for containers with the trunk
- Make coasters and trinkets with the trunk
- Chip it and use it for added nutrients to the soil
- Feed a fire pit with boughs
- Stake your plants with smaller branches
- They forgot to list the 11th option but Pokral says, “Create a brush pile with your tree or add it
to an existing brush pile on your property so it returns the nutrients to your yard. No cutting
necessary.
For more information on recycling holiday trees, call the District at 812-349-2020 or refer to the
District’s Monroe County District FB page and Twitter page.
