BLOOMINGTON — As the holiday season draws to a close, the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County has announced its annual holiday tree recycling program to help residents dispose of their natural evergreens in an environmentally friendly way.
The program is scheduled to run from December 26, 2025, through January 17, 2026. This initiative is organized in partnership with Rumpke Services and Bluestone Tree to ensure holiday greenery is repurposed rather than sent to a landfill.
“Naked” Trees Only: Preparation Requirements
To participate in the program, the district emphasizes that trees and wreaths must be completely “naked”. Before dropping off items at any of the designated recycling centers, residents are required to:
- Remove all lights.
- Remove all decorations, including ornaments, tinsel, and toppers.
- Ensure only natural evergreens and wreaths are submitted; artificial trees are not accepted through this specific program.
Drop-Off Locations and Hours
Recycling is available during regular business hours at several locations across the county. Note that hours vary between the main Bloomington site and rural recycling centers.
Main Bloomington Site
- South Walnut Recycling Center (3400 S. Walnut St., Bloomington):
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Rural Recycling Centers
The following locations are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm:
- Ellettsville: 6200 N. Matthews Dr., Ellettsville.
- Northeast: 6015 East SR 45, New Unionville (Entrance off Bethel Lane).
- Southside: 400 W. Dillman Rd., Bloomington.
- Westside: 341 N. Oard Rd., Bloomington.
Residents seeking more information can visit the district’s website at wastereductiondistrict.com or call 812-349-2020.
