AUSTIN, Texas — The Christmas has come and gone, almost like in the blink of an eye it. If you've decorated a real tree this year, it's a good idea to go ahead and start thinking about what to do with it after the holiday weekend ends.
"You do want to make sure to compost that, you know, rather than just throwing it in the landfill, where it could then turn as it degrades and releases methane into the atmosphere, which is a very potent greenhouse gas," said Luke Metzger, executive director at Environment Texas.
Luckily, there are a number of disposal options in Central Texas.
Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) will compost your tree for free. You can drop your tree off at one of the following locations between Dec. 27 and Jan. 31, with the exception of Jan. 1:
- TDS Landfill Creedmoor
- 3016 FM 1327 in Creedmore, Texas
- Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. until sunset
- TDS & Garden-Ville Bee Cave
- 4001 RR 620 South in Bee Cave, Texas
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- TDS & Garden-Ville Georgetown
- 250 W.L. Walden Drive in Georgetown, Texas
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Garden-Ville SARA San Antonio
- 1280 FM 1516 #2 in Converse, Texas
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Garden-Ville Evans Road San Antonio
- 7561 E. Evans Road in San Antonio, Texas
- Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Trees must be free of flocking, lights, ornaments, metal and other non-living decorations. A $45 contamination fee will be assessed for trees and decorations that have not been cleaned.
When bringing trees for drop-off, make sure they are tied and secured. For more information, click here.
However, that isn't the only option for tree and/or wrapping material disposal.
"When you're done with the holidays, you could plant them in the backyard," said Metzer. "So, that's probably the most environmentally responsible."
The City of Georgetown said TDS customers in the city limits can put real Christmas trees on the curb for collection on your regular yard trimmings pickup day. Trees seven feet in length or less can be placed at the curb uncut. Longer trees should be cut into sections. Artificial trees are not accepted.
The City is also reminding residents that cardboard boxes and wrapping paper are recyclable. If those materials won’t fit in your recycling cart, you can put them in a larger box next to your cart. Ribbons and bows are not recyclable.
Cellophane wrap and plastic bags are recyclable if they are placed in a yellow bag-the-bag, tied and placed inside the recycling cart. Bag-the-bag recycling bags are available for pick up at the following locations:
- Georgetown Municipal Complex
- 300-1 Industrial Ave.
- Georgetown Public Library
- 402 W. Eighth St.
- Georgetown Recreation Center
- 1003 N. Austin Ave.
- Sun City Social Center monitor's desk
- 2 Texas Drive
- Collection station
- 250 W.L. Walden Rd.
Travis County also offers free recycling drop-off locations. They will be open from Dec. 26 to Jan 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- West Service Center
- 4501 FM 620, Austin, TX 78732
- Del Valle Adult Softball Complex
- 3614 FM 973, Del Valle, TX 78617
- Collection Center
- 2625 Woodall Dr., Leander, TX 78613
- East Service Center
- 6011 Blue Bluff, Austin, TX 78724
Travis County has the following requirements:
- Only natural trees are accepted (no plastic/artificial trees)
- Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, and tree stands
- Remove all nails, staples, and metal
- Trees sprayed with flocking or artificial snow are not accepted
- Do not place the tree in a “tree bag” or any plastic bag
- Trees taller than 6 ft must be cut in half
Finally, if you live in the Austin city limits, Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all-natural trees, along with yard trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days.
All residents can also drop their trees off at the Zilker Park polo fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Jan. 2, 8 and 9. Trees must be cleaned of decorations and uncovered.
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