When Christmas is over, don't assume that you can just take that Christmas tree down and put it out on the street. Christmas trees need to be recycled and are generally not picked up with your regular trash.
When recycling your Christmas tree, it is important to remove any decorations, icicles, lights, garlands, tinsel, wrapping paper, hooks and tree stands. These instructions are not for artificial trees. Those should be donated to a local charitable organization.
Every city and town in the metro Phoenix area has its own recycling plan and process. Here is what you need to know about disposal of your Christmas tree after the holidays.
Apache Junction is provides two free drop off points open 24 hours a day for drop off of trees outside from December 26, 2011 through January 15, 2012. Those sites are: Prospector Park, 3015 N. Idaho Rd. and Paws & Claws Care Center, 725 E. Baseline Ave. Remove all nails, stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments from trees. Flocked trees will not be accepted because the flocking does not break down in the environment. Please direct any questions about this program to the City of Apache Junction, Public Works Department at 480-982-1055 or check online. (2011/2012)
Residents of Avondale can recycle their live Christmas trees. Trees must be free of all decorations including lights, bulbs, ribbon and garland. This service is offered to Avondale residents at no charge. Proof of residency is required. Trees can be dropped off at A to Z Equipment, 803 E. Van Buren, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 26, 2011 through January 7, 2012 with the exception of Jan. 1 when this Service Center will be closed in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday and a modified 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. drop-off on New Year’s eve (Dec 31). Trees may also be left curbside for monthly bulk trash pick-up. For more information about Christmas tree recycling, call Avondale’s Field Operations Department at 623-333-4700 or check online. (2011/2012)
Buckeye will offer Christmas tree collection on Saturday, January 7 and Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Remove all tinsel, garland, ornaments, lights and stands. No artificial trees. Bring trees to one of the following locations: Fire Station 701, 404 South Miller Road, Buckeye, 85326 (Downtown); Fire Station 702, 1911 South Rainbow Road, Buckeye, 85326 (Sundance); Fire Station 703, 4106 North 195th Avenue, Buckeye, 85396 (Verrado); Fire Station 704, 26100 West Beardsley Road, Buckeye, 85396 (Festival Ranch); Fire Station 705, 30050 West Tartesso Parkway, Buckeye, 85396 (Tartesso). For more information call the Buckeye Public Works Department at 623-349-6805. (2011/2012)
City of Chandler residents can place their trees at the edge of their driveway before 6 a.m. on their recycling collection day (between 12/26/11 and 01/13/12) for curbside Christmas tree collection. Please do not block the sidewalk or place the tree in the blue recycling container. Don't place tree in the street or alley. Please do not place tree in refuse, recycle or alley container. Chandler also offers 10 drop-off points (December 26, 2011 thru January 13, 2012) for Christmas trees. For more information, call Chandler's Solid Waste Services at 480-782-3510. Live potted Christmas trees can be donated for replanting at City parks by dropping off at the City's Community Center or can be scheduled for pick up by calling 480-782-2745. (2011/2012)
The Town of Gilbert Gilbert has joined with A to Z Rentals and Santan Village Mall to offer free holiday recycling for cut trees, which will be turned into mulch and used for Town landscaping projects. Drop off cut trees between Dec. 26, 2011 and Jan. 7, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at A-Z Equipment Rentals, 1313 East Baseline Road. One tree per Gilbert resident household. On 12-31 their hours will be 9 a.m. to noon. No tree dropoffs here on January 1. Gilbert residents may also drop off trees from December 26, 2011 through January 14, 2012 at these locations: Nichols Park at the southwest corner of Higley and Guadalupe roads (park hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.); Hetchler Park (Gilbert Soccer Complex) at the southwest corner of Germann and Greenfield roads. (park hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.); Dicks Sporting Goods in Santan Village Mall, south of Dick’s Sporting Goods in the gravel area from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 480-503-6400 or visit Gilbert Public Works Recycling online. (2011/2012)
The City of Glendale, AZ Glendale residents are encouraged to recycle their Christmas trees by dropping them off at the following sites, which will be open from Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 to Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012: Acoma Park, 53rd Ave. and Acoma Rd.; Fire Station #156, 67th Ave. and Deer Valley Rd.; Foothills Park, 57th Ave. and Union Hills; O’Neil Park, 64th Ave. and Missouri Ave.; Rose Lane Park, 51st Ave. and Marlette Ave.; Sahuaro Ranch Park, 63rd Ave. and Mountain View Rd.; Western Area Regional Park, 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Trees must be unbagged, and all decorations, tree stands and metal stakes must be removed. Trees collected at the recycling stations will be used for composting and mulch. The City of Glendale Recycling Department reminds everyone that certain holiday items cannot be recycled. These items include ribbons, holiday lights, ornaments, garland, wrapping paper with silver or gold infused in with the paper, plastic bags, Styrofoam, toys, light bulbs and food. For more information, call 623-930-2660 or visit Glendale sanitation online. (2011/2012)
Residents of the City of Goodyear can get a “green” start on the New Year by dropping trees at one of five locations. Only bare trees can be recycled, so remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel. Trees are chipped and used for mulch and ground cover for a local farm. The following tree recycling drop-off locations are available 24 hours a day from December 26, 2011 through January 6, 2012: Foothills Community Park, 12795 S. Estrella Parkway next to the parking lot; PebbleCreek Eagle’s Nest Parking lot, 3645 N. Clubhouse Drive; Palm Valley Park, 13133 W. Monte Vista Drive on the north side of the park; Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, on the east side of Estrella Parkway just south of Yuma Road, in the northwest corner of the parking lot. Christmas trees may also be dropped for recycling at the Goodyear Public Works Yard, 200 S. Calle Del Pueblo between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information visit Goodyear online or call 623-932-3010. (2011/2012)
In Maricopa residents may drop off Christmas trees at the old park and ride lot at 45822 W. Garvey (west of John Wayne Blvd) from December 26 through January 31. This site is for Christmas trees only and will not accept brush, trash or yard trimmings. For more information visit Maricopa online or call 520-316-6946. (2011/2012)
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