City of Austin offering Christmas trees a "second life" through recycling

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin is offering residents the chance to give their real Christmas trees a second life after they've been taken down and stripped of their decorations.

The tress will be recycled into mulch or compost.

The City says annually, Christmas tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City’s goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.

For curbside customers, recycling Christmas trees is as easy as setting it on the curb. Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all natural trees, along with yard trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days beginning Dec. 26.

All trees for curbside collection six feet or taller must be cut in half. Trees must be set at the curb by 6:30 a.m.

All residents, including those without curbside service, can drop off their trees at the Zilker Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28; Sunday, Dec. 29; Saturday, Jan. 4; and Sunday, Jan. 5.

Trees sprayed with flocking or artificial snow are not accepted. All ornaments, decorations, lights and tree stands must be removed. Trees should not be put in a "tree bag" and only natural trees may be recycled.

Mulch from trees collected at the drop-off location will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis to Austin residents on Thursday, Jan. 16.

For more information about Christmas Tree Recycling visit the Austin Recycles website.