Where can I recycle my Christmas tree in Central Texas?

Where to recycle your Christmas trees

Need to recycle your Christmas tree? There are options across Central Texas.

AUSTIN, Texas - Now that Christmas is over, cities all over Central Texas are hoping residents will turn in their live trees for recycling.

For the Ianniciello family, it’s a bit of a post-Christmas tradition.

"It's the day after Christmas, so it’s time to clean up and get moving for the new year, and we always take it back and recycle it when we’re done with it and bring it to the dump and let them chop it up," said Anthony Ianniciello.

He took his son to the Georgetown transfer station to recycle their live Christmas tree.

"I think it’s important to bring it in and get it recycled and get it reused," said Ianniciello.

Their tree is the first donation of the season.

"For the Georgetown residents, we have free recycling, curbside pick up available for all live Christmas trees, not artificial trees, not flock trees but natural Christmas trees," said Brad Hoff, the director of operations of the Texas Disposal Systems.

All residents need to do is take off the lights and ornaments.

If the tree is over 7 feet, it must be cut in half. Then either leave it on the curb until the end of January or bring it to the transfer station.

"We want to keep as much out of the landfill as possible and reuse what’s available, especially if we can make it for free for the residents like Christmas trees and mulch," said Hoff.

Each tree will turn into mulch, available for free in the spring at the Garden-Ville, next to the landfill.

All the boxes and wrapping paper that sat under the tree are recyclable too.

"Christmas wrapping paper is actually paper," said Theresa Chapman, the environmental service manager for the City of Georgetown. "You can put that in your recycling cart. All that extra cardboard that you got, those Amazon boxes, you can break it down, put them in a single box, and then set it next to your cart, and we’ll pick up that extra recycled box through the holidays."

"Collectively, if we all do it, it can make a huge impact to keep a large amount of material out of the landfill," said Chapman.

For string light drop-offs, Georgetown has locations at the community service center, the library, and Sun City.

Below is information on where and how you can recycle your holiday tree.

City of Austin

The city of Austin has two options for recycling your Christmas tree: curbside collection or drop-off.

City curbside customers can recycle their trees starting on Thursday, Dec. 26. Residents should set out their trees by 5:30 a.m. on their composting collection day.

All Austinites can drop off their trees, wreaths and garlands for recycling at Zilker Park, even if they are not Austin Resource Recovery customers.

Drop off times:

If you choose to drop off your tree at Zilker Park, drop off is available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following:

Saturday, Dec. 28
Saturday, Jan. 4
Sunday, Jan. 5

For more information on City of Austin tree recycling, click here

What to know:

Only natural trees will be accepted for recycling; However, trees sprayed with flocking or artificial snow will not be accepted.

Residents should remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, lights and tree stands. Wreaths and garlands should be removed from wire frames.

When recycling, do not place trees in bags. If recycling through curbside, all trees six feet or taller should be cut in half.

Drop off times:

If you choose to drop off your tree at Zilker Park, drop off is available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following:

Saturday, Dec. 28
Saturday, Jan. 4
Sunday, Jan. 5

For more information on City of Austin tree recycling, click here.

Travis County

Travis County residents can drop off their holiday trees for free at four locations across the county from Thursday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Jan. 10.

Drop-off locations:

West Service Center: 4501 FM 620, Austin, TX 78732
Del Valle Adult Softball Complex: 3614 FM 973, Del Valle, TX 78617
1431 Collection Station: 2625 Woodall Dr, Leander, TX 78613
East Service Center: 6011 Blue Bluff Austin, TX 78724

Only natural trees will be accepted. Residents must remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, tree stands, nails, staples and metal. Trees sprayed with flocking or artificial snow will not be accepted.

Residents should not place their tree in a "tree bag" or any plastic bag and trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.

Anyone looking to recycle holiday lights can drop them off at the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center located at 2514 Business Center Dr. Residents can also drop off holiday packaging there, including Styrofoam and cardboard.