Where and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Michigan in January 2018
In many urban and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected from curbside during the first 2 weeks in January. Be sure to remove all remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other NON-Organic decorative materials and other materials that are not part of the original tree. This includes tree stands also. Flocked trees are usually accepted, but not artificial trees. Large trees (larger than the standard 6 - 7 ft tree) may need to be cut in half to be acceptable by your garbage hauler. But scrroll down this page for more specific information and local links.
What happens to the trees? In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available, free to city or county residents. Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and could cause a chimney fire.
Tips: Always follow the links (usually the name of the city or county) below for updated information, as these agencies often wait until the last minute to change dates or
update their information (it's government, remember?). If your area is
not specifically mentioned below, contact your trash collection agency and inquire!
Related information:
See this page for local options to easily recycle your Christmas holiday lights
If it has just snowed; see this page about how to make snocones from real snow! Your kids will love it!
Click here for the list of winter sleigh ride locations!
See our easy recipes to make a Chocolate Yule log and click here to make your own low-fat, low calorie but delicious Egg Nog ! Then come back to our other website in March to find a local Easter Egg Hunt for your children !
Michigan: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays
-
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- The City of Ann Arbor provides residents with four free drop off
locations for undecorated Christmas trees (from mid-December
(yes, oddly BEFORE Christmas),
through January 31st. All tree stands, nails, ornaments,
tinsel and plastic bags must be removed from the trees and discarded
before leaving at these sites. Once again the parking lot adjacent
to the Drop-Off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth near Platt Road will be
available for 24/7 Christmas tree drop off. Three park locations are
also available to provide more local tree recycling options for city
residents. The collected trees will be chipped on a regular basis at
the park sites. The park locations include:
West Park parking lot off Chapin near West Huron, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Gallup boat launch parking lot, use entrance on the so utheast side of Geddes Road, east of Huron Parkway, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Olson Park parking lot, 1515 Dhu Varren Road, near Pontiac Trail, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
After Jan. 31, Christmas trees must be cut, bundled and saved until the city's compost collection service resumes in April or be delivered for a fee to the Drop-Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth during normal operating hours, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday.
All tree stands, nails, ornaments, tinsel and plastic bags must be removed from the trees and discarded. The collected evergreens are chipped into mulch or composted. Any metal, glass or plastic ornaments left on the tree can ruin the processing equipment, harm the operators, and spoil the landscaping mulch. Since wreaths and evergreen roping are generally made with wire or plastic backing, these items should be placed inside trash carts.
On February 1st all drop-off locations will be closed and Christmas trees must be cut, bundled and saved until the city's compost collection service resumes in April or be delivered to the Drop-Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth during normal operating hours, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Ann Arbor residents may deliver their trees at no charge; others without a proof of residency will be assessed a small fee. -
Bay City, MI
- Each year, the City of Bay City
Sanitation Department provides curbside collection for Christmas
trees. Collection starts after the Christmas holiday.
- Artificial Christmas trees can NOT be recycled.
- Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, tree stands and other non-organic decorative materials.
- Do not place tree inside any type of plastic bag.
- Wreaths on wires are not acceptable. - Delta Township, MI - Delta Township residents may dispose of their natural Christmas trees December 26 through January 31 at the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Building, which is located on Administration Drive. Please remove any Christmas lights, wires, string, and ornaments from the tree. If transporting the tree in a bag, please remove the tree from the bag before dropping it off. The tree will be chipped and used for various landscape projects around the township.
-
East Lansing, MI
- he City of East Lansing collects live-cut Christmas trees each
winter. The trees will be chipped and used as mulch in East Lansing
parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for
use as rabbit habitats. All bags, holiday decorations and tree
stands should be removed; trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in
half.
There are two options for recycling live-cut Christmas trees:
1) Trees can be placed curbside for collection anytime between Tuesday, December 26th and the second Friday in January January Advance phone request and stickers are not required.
2) A number of drop-off locations are available through January 12, 2018.
Patriarche Park- parking lot on Alton Road
Emerson Park - Arbor Drive entrance
Fine Park - parking lot on Winchester Drive
Valley Court Park - South of the Community Center
White Memorial Park - parking lot at Pebblebrook Lane. -
Grand Rapids, MI
- To dispose of your Christmas tree,
attach a purple Bulk Yard Waste Tag and place the Christmas tree at
the curb on your regular refuse collection day.
Or use the Free Drop-Off Christmas Tree Disposal.
The City offers free drop-off sites for Christmas trees through January 29. The sites are located at:
- Riverside Park (north entrance) located at 3151 Monroe Ave NE
- JC Family Park located at 2531 Kalamazoo Ave SE
- Lincoln Park located at 1120 Bridge St NW
- Huff Park located at 2399 Ball Ave NE
Fee-Based Curbside Pickup Program:
The alternative method for disposing of Christmas Trees is to attach a $2.50 City bulk yard waste tag (purple tag) to the tree and place it in the pickup area by 7 a.m. on the regular refuse collection day.
Bulk yard waste tags may be purchased at City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave NW, in the customer service lobby. City Hall is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some local stores may also have the tags in stock.
Christmas trees that are placed in the refuse pick-up area must be properly tagged for collection. The tag must be visible at the time of collection. Residents should make every effort to be sure that the tree is able to be collected (not buried in the snow) and the tag visible. All ornaments, other decorations, tinsel, nails, tree stands, and any plastic bags on the tree need to be removed prior to collection. -
Holland, MI
- Christmas Tree Disposal
For Non-Refuse & Recycling Customers: City of Holland residents currently NOT receiving curbside service may drop off their Christmas trees for disposal at: Bouws Pool Parking Lot off 16th Street from December 26, to January 23. Please use the designated area for tree drop off. (No plastic bags, wires, stands or decorations please).
Holiday Trash Information - For Refuse & Recycling Customers: Holiday boxes, papers and excess trash will be accepted at no extra charge from December 26, 2014 through January 9, 2015. (Packing peanuts, Styrofoam and Christmas wrapping paper are NOT recyclable and must be placed in the trash.)
Christmas Tree Disposal - For Refuse & Recycling Customers: Place your Christmas tree (cut to 6 feet or less) at the curbside on the same day as your waste service from December 26, 2014 to January 10, 2015 and the City will dispose of it. (Please remove stands, wires, bags and decorations) -
Lansing, MI
- Christmas trees will be picked up
from the curbside for two weeks, beginning the week of Dec. 26th and
continuing through the week of January 2nd, on your normal city
collection day. Trees will be recycled into mulch, so please make
sure trees are free from plastic,ornaments and other materials. If
taller than 6 ft, please cut in half. December 26, 2016 - January 6,
2017; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lansing, MI 48933. 517-483-4400. Trees should be placed curbside on the same day that blue trash bags, blue trash carts and green recycling carts are collected. They should be free of plastic bags, metal, and ornaments. TREES 6-FEET IN LENGTH OR LONGER MUST BE CUT IN HALF. To assist in the collection process in the event of snow, residents are encouraged to place holiday trees on top of snow banks, and to remove as much snow as possible from the trees so City drivers can see them. For more information, contact Capital Area Recycling & Trash at 517/483-4400 or recycle@lansingmi.gov or visit www.lansingrecycles.com -
Monroe County, MI
- Each Christmas holiday season,
several local municipalities, working in cooperation with the Monroe
County Solid Waste Coordinator's Office and the Monroe County Road
Commission provide a Christmas Tree Recycling Program for County
residents at the following locations:
Bedford Township, Carr Park, 9240 Lewis Ave.,Temperance 734-847-6791.
Berlin Township Hall, 8000 Swan View Drive, Newport 734-586-2187.
Ida Township Hall, 3016 Lewis Avenue, Ida 734-269-3045.
Monroe Charter Township Hall, 4925 West Dunbar Road, Monroe 734-241-5501.
City of Petersburg/Summerfield Township, 87 Railroad Street, Petersburg (behind the DPW Yard) 734-279-1210.
These sites are open from December 26th through January 17th. All tinsel and decorations must be removed from tree prior to chipping. Please call the numbers listed above, or Jason at (734) 240-7924, for times or additional information. -
Oakland County Parks Christmas Tree Recycling:
Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free Christmas Tree
Recycling at 11 park locations (see below) Trees can be dropped off
any day from December 26, 2017 through January 29, 2018 from 9am to
4 pm; 7 days a week.or Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, Please remove all decorations, metal, plastic
and string. Addison Oaks near Oxford; Catalpa Oaks in Southfield;
Glen Oaks in Farmington Hills; Groveland Oaks near Holly;
Independence Oaks near Clarkston; Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township; Orion
Oaks in Orion Township; Red Oaks in Madison Heights; Springfield
Oaks in Davisburg; Waterford Oaks in Waterford; and White Lake Oaks
in White Lake Township. Free
Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling, January seven days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Independence Oaks (Pine Grove parking lot) and Orion Oaks (Clarkston
Rd. parking lot) only.
The parks system processes trees to make compost and wood chips, which will be available to the public, free of charge. For more information, contact 248-858-0906. Below are the locations:
Leonard, MI - Addison Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 1480 West Romeo Road, Leonard, Michigan
Southfield, MI - Catalpa Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling
27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield, Michigan.
Farmington Hills, MI - Glen Oaks Golf Course Christmas Tree Recycling, 30500 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Holly, MI - Groveland Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 14555 Dixie Highway, Holly, Michigan.
Clarkston, MI - Independence Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, Michigan. Extended Christmas tree recycling days go until January 27th.
Wixom, MI - Lyon Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 52221 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan.
Lake Orion / Orion Township, MI - Orion Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 2301 W. Clarkston Road, Lake Orion, Michigan. Extended Christmas tree recycling days go until January 27th.
Madison Heights, MI - Red Oaks Golf Course Christmas Tree Recycling, 29600 John R, Madison Heights, Michigan.
Davisburg, MI - Springfield Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, Michigan.
Waterford, MI - Waterford Oaks County Park Christmas Tree Recycling, 2800 Watkins Lake Rd., Waterford, Michigan 48328.
White Lake, MI - White Lake Oaks Golf Course Christmas Tree Recycling, 991 N Williams Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. - Park Township, MI - Christmas Tree Recycling From December 26 through January 31, you can bring your Christmas tree to the Holland Township Quincy Street Park, located at 14025 Quincy Street, to be recycled. Trees can be brought to the park from dawn to dusk. Follow the signs to the drop-off area. PLEASE LIMIT THIS TO CHRISTMAS TREES ONLY. Trees will go through a chipper. All lights and hardware must be removed.
-
Rochester Hills, MI
- Curbside Recycling - Under contract
with the City of Rochester Hills, GFL Environmental will collect
discarded Christmas trees devoid of any ropes, lights, metal,
plastic or other hangers during Christmas week and the following
three weeks ending on January 18th. GFL Environmental will deliver
the trees they collect to a compost site rather than a landfill or
disposal facility. To have your tree picked up by GFL
Environmental you must:
Call for a pickup just like the bulk pickup.
Call at least 24 hours prior to your regularly scheduled pickup date.
Drop-off: The City of Rochester Hills will once again allow its residents to dispose of natural Christmas trees by dropping them off at the Clinton River Watershed Council located at 1115 West Avon Road (south side of Avon, just west of Livernois Road) on the following dates and times only:
Saturday, January 6, 2018 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, January 7, 2018 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, January 13, 2018 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, January 14, 2018 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Conditions: Christmas trees will be accepted subject to ALL of the following conditions. No exceptions to these conditions will be made.
Residents of Rochester Hills may drop off trees during the announced days and hours only.
Trees shall be dropped off at the designated area only. Any other disposal, at or near the designated site, will constitute improper disposal and violators will be subject to ticketing.
Only natural Christmas trees will be accepted. No mass or commercial disposal is permitted. No disposal of any other materials, natural or artificial, is permitted.
All non-woody material, e.g., lights and wires, ornaments, rope, garland, stands and braces, bagging, etc., must be removed before drop off.
Volunteers will inspect trees for compliance with this order before accepting them for disposal. Trees or other matter that do not meet the restrictions will not be accepted.
For more information, contact Forestry Operations Manager Gerald Lee at 248.656.4673 - Royal Oak, MI - Christmas trees are usually collected during the first two weeks of January. Trees will be collected curbside for recycling on your regular trash day by a private chipping contractor. Please place tree separate from trash at the curb by 7:00 a.m. without decorations, lights, stands and plastic bags or the tree will be left until corrected. If residents miss curbside Christmas tree collection, they can take to SOCRRA, 995 Coolidge, for free for disposal through March 31st