As nice as it is to sit by the light of the Christmas tree, it's about time to recycle it before you start a pine needle graveyard in your living room.
The good folks at pickyourownchristmastree.org have put together a comprehensive list of recycling options in counties all over the state. Most trash disposal companies simply grab them from the curb in January. Make sure you take off all the ornaments, tinsel, and any metal ornament hangers since recycled trees end up shredded for mulch. Do not try to cram your tree into a plastic bag; most companies prefer that it is just left alongside your regular garbage cans.
Northern Virginia
Check with your private trash disposal service, but a good rule of thumb is that your tree will be taken the first two weeks of January during regular trash days.
In Arlington County, condo or townhouse dwellers may bring their trees to the Solid Waste Bureau for mulching. Call (703) 228-6570 to schedule an appointment.
In Falls Church, take trees to the Fairfax County Citizens' Disposal and Recycling Facility located at 4618 West Ox Road in Fairfax, VA.
In Fairfax County, both the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex will mulch it for a fee of $1 per tree during the first two weeks of January. See the county website for additional information.
In Prince William County, you have a few options. You can drop your tree off at the Prince William County Landfill at 14811 Dumfries Road in Manassas, VA, or the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility at 13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas, VA. If you take your tree to Leesylvania State Park at 2002 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge, VA, your tree will be used for wildlife and aquatic habitats. How cool is that?
In Leesburg, you can take your tree to the Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Drop-off Center at 21101 Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg, VA.
Hampton Roads Area
Virginia Beach residents may drop off trees at the Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center at 1989 Jake Sears Road. Make sure you bring proof of residency!
In Norfolk, trees can be set at the curb or dropped off at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1176 Pineridge Road.
Richmond Area
In Richmond, you can take your tree to the East Richmond Road Convenience Center at 3800 East Richmond Road or the Richmond Southside Transfer Station at 3520 North Hopkins Road. On January 6, 2019, you can also attend the "Bring One for the Chipper" event hosted by the Richmond Clean City Commission at 1710 Robin Hood Road to dispose of your tree. Document shredding and electronics recycling will also be offered, so what a great way to get started on a post-holiday cleanup!
In Chesterfield, take your tree to the Northern Area Convenience Center at 3200 Warbro Road or the Southern Area Convenience Center at 6700 Landfill Road.
If we didn't list your specific county or town, just check the list provided by pickyourownchristmastree.org for more information.
**All photos in this article are courtesy of Unsplash.
Do you have a different Christmas tree recycling method not listed here? Let us know in the comments below!