Christmas trees growing at the Wildes, a Trafalgar tree farm. Local communities are offering different options for recycling live trees now that Christmas is over.
Submitted photo
Once Christmas is over, people have a dilemma. What to do with the dying pine, spruce or fir tree in the living room?
Many choose to recycle Christmas trees. There are several options to do that in Johnson County this year. There are several options to have it pick up right from the curbside.
The biggest thing to remember when recycling your live tree is to completely remove all of the lights, garlands and ornaments, said Jessie Biggerman, executive director of Johnson County Recycling District.
“It’s very important because the reality is that if they are being picked up within their communities, whether they’re being picked up curbside or whether you’re dropping it off at a park or anything, they are being shredded to be used as mulching,” Biggerman said. “And so obviously, if you put those materials through it’s not good for machines, but even more so it’s not good for the environment.”
Many will choose curbside recycling, but Biggerman said trees can also be reused as a shelter for wildlife.
“They are great habitats for animals,” Biggerman said. “You can always put them out in your backyard if you have that ability, where you know birds will find shelter in there. So, there’s other things that can be done with your Christmas tree.”
Greenwood, Edinburgh and Whiteland offer curbside tree pickup for residents, while Franklin residents can arrange a pick-up by contacting Waste Management to schedule a bulk item pickup, officials said. They underscored that the trees should be completely undecorated, should not be bagged and that no plastic trees will be picked up by municipal employees.
Greenwood’s Street Department will have city brush trucks out to pick up trees starting Dec. 26. City employees will make rounds periodically Monday through Friday during the first few weeks of the year to pick up trees, said Kenny Duncan, street superintendent.
In Edinburgh, town employees will pick up trees from Dec. 27 to Jan. 19, according to a flier provided by the town.
Whiteland employees will be around to pick up Christmas trees with their regular limb pickup program, which is normally each Monday. Due to the holidays, limb pick-up days will be Tuesday this week and on Jan. 2, said Carmen Young, town manager of administration.
The street department in Franklin doesn’t pick up trees but the city’s trash provider Waste Management will. According to the trash company’s website, people must request a bulky item pick up by calling 866-797-9018 or live to chat on their website at wm.com/us/en/support.
Waste Management has the following requirements for tree pick-up:
- Put your tree on the curb on the scheduled pick-up day.
- Ensure the tree is not buried in snow, frozen to the ground or bagged.
- Trees should not exceed 50 pounds in weight.
- Trees between 6 to 8 feet must be cut into smaller sections.
- Remove lights, ornaments and tinsel.
Bargersville, New Whiteland, Prince’s Lakes and Trafalgar don’t offer tree curbside pickup, local officials said.
For a charitable option, Franklin Boy Scout Troop 228 will pick up Christmas trees curbside and recycle them for a donation of $15 to $20. Pick-up can be scheduled from Dec. 30 through Jan. 6. Email [email protected] to schedule a pickup or sign up online here https://forms.gle/ze4j3AHFi9csEFev7.
