Virginia: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2025

Where and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Virginia after Christmas 2024 and in January 2025

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 ! There are affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure policy to learn more.

Virginia: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2025

• Albemarle County -
  Christmas Tree Recycling This is a FREE program that recycles discarded Christmas Trees that are chipped into mulch for the public's use. The County will operate seven sites. The operation dates will be from December 26 to mid - January. The hours will be 7 am to dark daily. As a reminder, this program is for Christmas trees only, please no yard waste. Both the County and City programs require that all decorations, stands and nails be removed from the Christmas trees. FREE mulch will be available starting February 1, at Darden Towe Park. The sites are:
  * Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road (this location may be congested, please consider Darden Towe Park as an Alternate location that is less congested and is better suited for large loads and contract haulers.)
  * Crozet Park in Park Drive
  * Greenwood Community Center in Greenwood
  * Chris Green Lake in Earlysville
  * Darden Towe Park in Elks Drive
  * Scottsville Community Center in Scottsville
  * Walnut Creek Park off Old Lynchburg Road
  For more information please contact the County Department of Parks and Recreation at (434)296 -5844.
• Alexandria - City residents who receive trash service must place their trees at the curb (no alley) Trees should be set at your regular yard waste collection point, on your trash collection day. The trees are then collected curbside throughout the month of January. Put your tree out there by 6 am. Trees collected during this time will be ground into mulch and available to residents in the spring. To prepare trees for collection, residents are reminded to: Remove all ornaments, tinsel and stands. Do not place in plastic bags. For more information about Christmas tree recycling or spring mulch, call the City's Solid Waste Division at (703) 519 - 3486.
• Arlington County -
  During the first two full weeks in January, Christmas trees are collected curbside for residential homes with trash and recycling service. Residents are reminded to place the tree on the curb no later than 6 am on your regular trash collection day and to remove all decorations, nails, stands and plastic bags. The trees are later ground into wood mulch for garden use. Christmas Tree Drop - Off: Residents without regular curbside pickup, including those living in townhomes, apartments and condominiums, can bring Christmas trees to the Solid Waste Bureau's Earth Products Yard in Shirlington. For safe dropoff, call 703-228-5000 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. to schedule a weekday appointment. You will need proof of residence in Arlington to drop off..
• Charlottesville, VA - The City of Charlottesville Curbside Pick-Up for Christmas trees will be the second full week of January (trees need to be at the curbside MONDAY by 7:00 AM). All decorations, stands, and nails are required to be removed. Only Christmas trees are accepted - do not combine with other yard waste. Also see Albemarle County above. T
• Chesapeake, VA - Christmas Tree Recycling - Every year the Public Works Department offers free disposal of your Christmas tree. We start collecting them right after Christmas and will be collecting Christmas trees on your regular collection day. Don't forget to remove everything (ornaments, lights, tinsel) from your tree before bringing it to the curb. If it didn't originally grow on the tree, it needs to be removed. And be cautious of where you place the tree. Be sure it isn't blocking the flow of traffic, pedestrians or stormwater and keep it at least three feet away from any obstructions like mailboxes, telephone poles or cars. Be aware that your garbage day may change due to the holiday schedule. You do not need to schedule a bulk pickup to dispose of your tree.
• Chesterfield County, VA - Chesterfield County residents may recycle live Christmas trees, with all decorations removed, at either of our Convenience Center locations for free through then end of the month The county also operates two convenience centers for household refuse disposal and recycling. These services are provided for county residents only. The sites accept waste generated from residential homes, including household waste, construction/demolition debris, brush and yard waste and bulky waste. For additional information , call 804-748-1297. Additionally, numerous recycling options are available at the sites. There are two convenience centers in Chesterfield County: the Northern Area Convenience Center (NACC) at 3200 Warbro Road in Midlothian, and
  Southern Area Convenience Center (SACC) at 6700 Landfill Drive in Chester.
  Falls Church, VA - Christmas trees are collected free of charge on Wednesdays in January and February (except on City-observed holidays). Placing your tree at the curb during the first 2 weeks in January ensures speedy collection. Place your Christmas Tree at the curb after removing plastic bags, rope, and all decorations, including tinsel. Apartment & Condominium Residents: Residents who live in apartments and condominiums that receive private trash and recycling service may recycle trees by taking them to the brush collection area at the Fairfax County Citizens' Disposal and Recycling Facility, located at:4618 W. Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
• Fairfax County - If you have country trash service, put your tree on the curb on trash day during the first two weeks in January. After that, you must schedule a brush pickup to have your Christmas tree removed. If you use a private trash service, call your company for instructions. Christmas trees may also be recycled during the first two weeks in January at either the I - 66 Transfer Station or the I - 95 Landfill Complex . There is a small processing fee of $1 per tree. Please remove tree stands, ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree toppers before recycling. Also see this page for more information .
• City of Fredericksburg - Christmas Tree and Special Bulk Collection Public Works Department crews will collect Christmas trees and special bulk items starting on the second week of January, Please make sure your Christmas tree is placed at the curb no later than 7:30 am, on Monday,. City crews will collect Christmas trees during the SECOND week of January through the last Friday of the month. Special crews will pick up trees separate from other collection items. Christmas trees will not be picked up with your regular trash service. If you have any questions regarding this special collection, please call 372 -
  1023.
• Gloucester County - from December 26 to the end of January, Residents may place Christmas trees in the brush container at any Gloucester County Convenience Center during regular hours (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 7 PM and Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM.). Tree must be free of the stand, ornaments, tinsel and lights. Trees will be mulched along with other yard debris. The mulch is provided free of charge to county residents from the main landfill location. However, residents are strongly encouraged to call ahead to ensure mulch is available for pickup.
  Questions: Phone: 804-693-5370 or email: [email protected].
  Middle Peninsula Landfill and Recycling Center - 3714 Waste Management Way (Entrance on Route 17).
  Belroi - 5122 Hickory Ford Road
  Dutton - 10430 Burke's Pond Road
  Court House - 6550 Beehive Drive
  Hayes - 7599 Guinea Road
• Hanover County - December 26 through January 31st Rt. 301 Transfer Station , Courtland Farm Rd. (Rt. 820) from 8am to 4p, Mon from Sat (closed Sunday and holidays) Mechanicsville Center, 7427 Verdi Ln. (Rt. 710) from 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Courthouse Center, 7234 Courtland Farm Rd. to 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Beaverdam Center, 18400 Beaverdam Rd. (Rt. 715) from 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Doswell Center, 11224 Doswell Rd. (Rt. 688) from 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Elmont Center, 11045 Lewistown Rd. (Rt. 783) from 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Montpelier Center, 15188 Clazemont Rd. (Rt. 715) from 7am to 7p, daily (closed holidays) Click here for more Hanover Convenience Centers information.
• Henrico County - Christmas Tree Recycling, now through from Monday, December 26 through the second Sunday in January
  The free service, offered by Keep Henrico Beautiful and the Department of Public Utilities, preserves landfill space and protects the environment. It is available to Henrico residents only.
  Trees will be accepted at the following locations:
  Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road, in the lower parking lot;
  Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, in the front parking lot;
  Springfield Road Public Use Area, 10600 Fords Country Lane, near Nuckols Road and Interstate 295; and
  Charles City Road Public Use Area, 2075 Charles City Road.
  Trees can be dropped off anytime at the Henrico Government Center and Eastern Government Center and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the Springfield Road and Charles City Road public use areas. Trees must be free of tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands and water bowls.
  Residents are reminded not to place trees in their carts or curbside for weekly trash collection service. Trees are not eligible for pickup, even if they are cut into pieces.
  Free mulch is available to Henrico residents at the public use areas. For information, go to henrico.us/services/free-mulch or call (804) 501-7277.
  Trees can be dropped off anytime at the Henrico Government Center and Eastern Government Center and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the Springfield Road and Charles City Road public use areas. Trees must be free of tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands and water bowls. Please wear a face covering and maintain social distancing at all times. Free mulch is available to Henrico residents at the public use areas. For information, go to henrico.us/services/free-mulch or call (804) 501-7277.
• James City County - Live Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling December 26th through January 31 at all 3 County convenience and recycling centers.
  Trees must be free of all tinsel, lights and decorations. See their website for updates. Recycling Hotline 757-253-6700. Email: [email protected] the Recycling Customer Service
• Leesburg, VA - CSI will collect Holiday Trees (commonly called "Christmas Trees" by non - government people) for Recycling by Patriot Disposal on the following days: the two Mondays right after Christmas (that's usually the first 2 Mondays in January). Trees with a trunk size of less than 6" in diameter may be set out on Monday night for pickup by the Street Maintenance Division during their routine brush collection schedule. The crew circulates through town with the chipper truck on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will collect trees curbside if they are out by Monday night. Please keep the following in mind when preparing your trees for collection -
  these guidelines apply to both CSI Recycling and Brush Collection pickups: Remove stand from tree, Remove all decorations from trees -
  please check carefully for items hidden behind thicker branches or limbs, Remove tinsel, fake snow, angel hair, etc., Remove all lighting from trees, Remove all twine, metal or plastic ties and string. Place tree at curb the night before recycling day or Monday night for brush collection. Do not place in plastic bags or "Christmas Tree Disposal Bags". Remove stands and bases from trees.
• Loudoun County, Virginia - Curbside Recycling: Residents who receive curbside recycling services should contact their homeowners association, town office, or private waste collector for Christmas tree curbside recycling information. See the Residential Recycling tab on the Loudon County page for more information.
  Christmas Tree Recycling Locations & Fees. From late December through mid-January. Christmas trees are processed into mulch available for free to Loudoun residents at the Landfill.From late December through mid-January, Loudoun County collects Christmas trees at several locations which are listed below. Each year, the county processes thousands of Christmas trees into mulch available for free to Loudoun residents. For more information, please call 703-771-5514.
  Christmas Tree Recycling Locations
  December 26th, through mid-January
  • Leesburg
    Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Dropoff Center
    21101 Evergreen Mills Road
    Leesburg, 20175.
    Open Monday - Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Lovettsville
    Game Protective Association
    16 South Berlin Pike
    Lovettsville, 20180
    Open daily
  • Purcellville
    Franklin Park
    17501 Franklin Park Dr.
    Purcellville, 20132
    Open daily, 7 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sterling
    Claude Moore Park
    (use Loudoun Park Lane entrance, go to ball fields)
    46150 Loudoun Park Lane
    Sterling, 20164
    Open daily, 7 am to 5:00 pm
  • South Riding
    Town Hall (rear parking lot next to tennis court)
    43055 Center Street
    South Riding, 20152
    Open daily
  Click here for the addresses and more information . Each year, the county processes thousands of Christmas trees into mulch available for free to Loudoun residents.
  Christmas Tree Recycling Do's & Don'ts: Christmas trees should not be placed in bags. All decorations, light strands, tree stand, and bag should be removed before setting the trees out for recycling or taking them to any of the county's collection locations. The Christmas tree drop - off program is for residential use only. Tree vendors are welcome to use the Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility at: 21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 to recycle left over Christmas trees for $62/ton. For more information please call 703 - 771 - 5514.
• Newport News - Christmas trees are collected at the curb as brush collection. Remove all lights, trimmings and tree stands and set out during your regular week for bulk collection at the curb separate from bulk trash and 3 feet away from your trash and recycling containers if you're a Newport News Solid Waste User Fee customer or bring to the Recovery Operations Center Mon -
  Sat, 8 - 4 except for City - observed holidays (call 886 - 7947).
• Norfolk - From December 26th through the end of January, live trees may be put at the curb for collection for mulching on your regular trash collection day. Trees can also be dropped off at the City's
  Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
  1176 Pineridge Road, Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM.
• Portsmouth - Christmas trees may be put at the curb for pickup on your regular trash collection day. The stand, ornaments, tinsel and lights must be removed. The trees will be taken to the City Landfill and mulched.
• Prince William County -
  Christmas trees are picked up curbside during the first two weeks of January. You can also take your tree during the first 2 weeks in January, to the county compost facility in Manassas, Novec in Gainesville, Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge or the county landfill in Manassas. RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AND GREENERY
  After you remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, nails and the tree stand, you may recycle your cut tree and greenery at several convenient locations.
  The Prince William County Landfill, 14811 Dumfries Road in Manassas; Monday - Saturday, 6 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 5 p .m. The facility is closed New Year's Day.
  The Balls Ford Road Compost Facility, 13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas Monday - Saturday, 7:30 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm The facility is closed New Year's Day.
  Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge, off Neabsco Road. Trees may be dropped off at Shelter #2 and will be used for wildlife and aquatic habitats.
  Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC), 5399 Wellington Branch Road in Gainesville December 26 to mid-January,the drop off area is located in the parking lot in the area outlined with safety cones to the right of the building. For more information contact NOVEC at 703 -335 - 0500 ext. 1633 or 1661, or [email protected].
  NOVEC will deliver the wood chip mulch to interested customer at no charge, visit www.novec.com for details.
• Richmond - Email: [email protected]. Phone: 804-612-0557. The City of Richmond Department of Public Works and the Richmond Clean City Commission will be hosting its annual "Bring One for the Chipper" Event on the first or second Saturday in January (usually) from 10 am -2 pm at 1710 Robin Hood Rd and N. Blvd. (field across from the Arthur Ashe Center. In addition to Christmas Tree recycling, the city is hosting electronics recycling ( fees may apply on certain items) and document shredding ( up to 5 boxes) and city recyclers can drop off their 24 gallon green bins for reuse in city schools since now have 95 gallon recycling cart with a blue lid. Please contact the City of Richmond staff directly for fee information and other requirements as this event is for City of Richmond residents only. Proof of residency required.
  If you live in Richmond, you can take your tree to any of the below areas
  East Richmond Road Convenience Center, at 3800 East Richmond Road
  Richmond Southside Transfer Station, at 3520 N. Hopkins Road
  Residents can also leave their tree next to their "supercan" on trash day and it will be recycled.Please be sure to remove all decorations, tinsel, bulbs, wire and bolts from the tree. Unless indicated, sites will grind trees into mulch. Use of each site/option is restricted to residents of the sponsoring city or county only.
  • ASHLAND Set tree at curb for collection by town crews.
    CHESTERFIELD Through January 31,Northern Area Convenience Center, 3200 Warbro Rd. off Genito Rd. or off Hull St. Rd. (Monday, Tuesday, Friday through Sunday 9:30 am to 6 pm) Southern Area Convenience Center, 6700 Landfill Rd. off Rt. 10 (Ironbridge Rd.) (Monday, Thursday, Friday through Sunday 9:30 am to 6 pm) No tree vendors!
    COLONIAL HEIGHTS Drop off your trees - Usually the first 2 weeks in January at the Recycling Center, 2701 Conduit Road (behind Sheetz Gas Station) Fridays & Saturdays, 8 am to noon AND 1 to 5 pm (closed from 12-1 pm and holidays) Residents can call (804) 479-7056 for more information.
    GOOCHLAND Through January 31st Central Convenience Center, Rt. 632, near Rt. 522, 1908 Hidden Rock Lane (open 7 days a week) Western Convenience Center, Rt. 606, 3455 Hadensville Fife Road (closed on Wednesdays) 7:30 am to 6 pm Sundays 1 pm- 6 pm Click here for more Goochland Convenience Centers information.
    HOPEWELL Citizen Convenience Center, 507 Station Street, place undecorated live tree in yard waste area, tree will be recycled with yard waste, Tues, Wed, Fri 12:30 pm-3:30 pm, Sat. 8 am to 4:30 pm Leave undecorated live tree by trash cart for collection. Tree will be not be recycled
    NEW KENT Rt. 618 Refuse Collection Center (Brush Recycling area) 6301 Olivet Church Road Open daily 7:30 am to 7 pm (check with County for any holiday closings)
    PETERSBURG Tri City Regional Landfill & Disposal Facility, residents can take to landfill, trees not recycled. Set undecorated live Christmas trees at the curb with their trash cart to be collected on their regular collection... Tri City Regional Landfill & Disposal Facility, residents can take to landfill, trees not recycled. Set undecorated live Christmas trees at the curb with their trash cart to be collected on their regular collection...
    RICHMOND - Through mid-January, (always check their website for the current date) at
    East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 East Richmond Road,yard waste area
    Richmond Southside Transfer Station, 3520 N. Hopkins Rd.yard waste area
    . Hosted by the City of Richmond Dept of Public Works and Richmond Clean City Commission, field at corner of North Boulevard & Robin Hood Rd)
    *Please contact City of Richmond staff directly if you have questions.

    Powhatan - January 2 to January 31 at Yard Works, 1990 Anderson Hwy, 7:30 am to 5 pm (Mon - Fri) Let the Powhatan Anti - Litter Council and Yard Works (in Powhatan) help you "Go Green" this holiday season! Yard Works and Powhatan Anti - Litter Council will partner again this holiday season to offer live Christmas tree collection and recycling free of charge to local residents. This service has been offered to the Powhatan community at no cost for more than 12 years. All decorations and lights must be removed from the tree. Trees will be ground into mulch. No artificial trees accepted. For more information, call Yard Works at (804)639 - 0311 or the Powhatan Extension Office at (804)598 - 5640.
    PRINCE GEORGE - December 26 through mid-January, (always check their website for the current date) at
    Convenience Center, 3100 Union Branch Rd, Petersburg, VA; from 8 am to 5 pm (daily) (see holiday closing information above)
    Remove all decorations from the trees and please keep trees separate from other household waste. No artificial trees accepted free of charge.
    Container First Services is offering Christmas Tree Recycling for Prince George residents.
    

• Smithfield - From December 26 through mid-January; if you want your tree picked up at curbside, you must contact Kathy Bew - Jones at 365 -4200 or [email protected] and provide your address. Tree should be free of the stand, ornaments, tinsel, garland and lights. Special Collection For Christmas Items: Bay Disposal and Recycling will provide free pickup service for Christmas type items (such as boxes and wrapping paper) for all town residents after Christmas Please place all items in boxes or bags at your curbside for collection. Please contact Bay Disposal and Recycling at 857-9700 or the Town of Smithfield Department of Public Works at 365-4200 with any questions on the holiday collection schedules. All schedule changes will be posted on the town website, town Facebook page and published in the Smithfield Times.
• Suffolk - From December 26th through the first ful week in January, Christmas trees will be picked up curbside and handled as normal debris.
  During this two - week period collections will not count against your 12 free bulk pickup collections.
• Surry County - During the month of January Surry County residents may drop off Christmas trees free of the stand, ornaments, tinsel and lights at the Surry County Collection Centers (listed below)
  Dendron Solid Waste Station - 1215 Rolfe Highway, Dendron
  Goodson Path Solid Waste Station - 409 Goodson Path, Dendron
  Pineview Solid Waste Station - 101 Pineview Road, Waverly
  Mantura Road Solid Waste Station - 60 Mantura Road, Surry
  For information on Surry County Recycling see this page.
  Bay Disposal can be contacted by calling 757-857-9700 or on Bay Disposal's website and Bay Disposal Facebook page.
• Virginia Beach - Christmas trees are picked up curbside on normal trash collection days. Or you may drop them off at the Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center at 1989 Jake Sears Road with proof of residency. Christmas trees will be handled as normal yard debris and need to be free of any decorations or tinsel. All trees and yard debris will be mulched.
• Williamsburg - City Crews will be collecting Christmas trees curbside on the first 2 weeks in January. Trees must be placed at the curb before 7 AM (get them out Monday morning) and should be free of the stand, ornaments and lights. Please place separately from bulk waste and regular trash. Receive notifications ahead of tree, leaf, garbage, and recycling collection by signing up for RECollect alerts at Williamsburg VA.
• York County - The curbside Christmas tree recycling program will start on Monday, after New Years in January and continues through Friday at the end of the second full week in January.
  esidents must place their tree at the roadside by 7 a.m. on Monday for collection during the week.  This program is available to all county communities, including those that do not subscribe to the county's curbside collection programs. In order to provide this service to those communities not on a curbside collection program, the county's Waste Management division requires: 
  approval from your Homeowners Association or community management group
  a designated drop-off site within your community where residents can bring their trees. The designated site needs to be in a location with access to the large knuckle boom truck used for collections.
  In addition to curbside collection, all York County residents, including non-subscribers, may deliver their Christmas trees to the VPPSA Compost Facility, 145 Goodwin Neck Road, from Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. through the end of January.

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