County Offers 'Treecycling' for Christmas Trees

Burlington County is making it easy for residents to get rid of their Christmas trees by once again offering free recycling of the festive timber.   

To be eligible for free disposal, residents or municipalities should bring the trees to the Resource Recovery Complex in Florence and Mansfield as a separate load—that is, not mixed with trash.
       
No artificial or flocked trees can be accepted. All plastic bags, ropes, decorations, garland, tinsel, ornaments, lights, stands, wires and nails should be removed before dropping off the tree.
       
“This service increases local recycling rates and is a money-saver for the towns,” said Freeholder Joseph Donnelly. “Beyond that, we actually make good use of the recycled trees, by grinding them up, and using them as an amendment at the co-composting facility. Or to put it another way, ‘treecycling’ returns valuable nutrients back to the environment.”
       
Each town handles tree, brush and yard waste differently, so residents should contact their municipality to see if they offer curbside collection of Christmas trees for recycling.

The National Christmas Tree Association reports 25 million to 30 million live Christmas trees are sold nationwide every year and for every tree harvested up to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring. Also, of the 350,000 acres in use for growing Christmas trees, each acre provides the daily oxygen required for 18 people, making them the “greener choice” compared to artificial trees.

For details on bringing in Christmas trees for treecycling, call the Resource Recovery Complex scalehouse 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 609-499-5300 or the County Recycling Office at 609-499-1001.

Provided by the Burlington County Office of Public Information