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. These instructions are also not intended for living (potted) Christmas trees; there's no reason to destroy those. The best way to recycle them is to donate the living Christmas tree to a local park so it can be planted and live on.
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, 2012 through February 7, 2013. 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. (2012/2013)
Residents of Avondale can recycle their cut 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, 2012 through January 5, 2013 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 Public Works Department at 623-333-4700 or check online. (2012/2013)
Buckeye will offer Christmas tree collection on Saturday, January 12 and Saturday, January 19, 2013 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 (Downtown); Fire Station 702, 1911 South Rainbow Road (Sundance); Fire Station 703, 4106 North 195th Avenue (Verrado); Fire Station 704, 26100 West Beardsley Road (Festival Ranch); Fire Station 705, 30050 West Tartesso Parkway (Tartesso). For more information call the Buckeye Public Works Department at 623-349-6825. (2012/2013)
City of Chandler residents can place their trees at the edge of their driveway before 6 a.m. on their recycling collection day (between 12/26/12 and 01/18/13) 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. Only Chandler residents paying for City-provided solid waste services may use curbside services. Chandler also offers 10 drop-off points (December 26, 2012 thru January 18, 2013) for Christmas trees: West Chandler Park, 250 S. Kyrene Rd.; Desert Breeze Park, 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. E.; Arrowhead Meadows Park, 1475 W. Erie St.; Shawnee Park, 1400 W. Mesquite St.; Pima Park, 625 N. McQueen Rd.; Folley Park, 601 E. Frye Rd.; Chuparosa Park, 2400 S. Dobson Rd.; Snedigar Sportsplex, 4625 S. Alma School Rd.; Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd.; Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center, 955 E. Queen Creek Rd. (closed Tue/Wed). For more information, visit Chandler's Solid Waste Services online or call 480-782-3510. (2012/2013)
The Town of Gilbert Gilbert joins 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)
NOTE: Gilbert has not yet provided 2012/2013 information. Here is what they offered last year.
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