It was so lovely around the holidays, filling your home with that lovely pine scent as you spent time with family and friends. But, sadly, the new year is approaching, and it’s time to say goodbye to that tree.
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What options do you have for getting rid of your tree?
Here are a couple of ideas:
Pickup at the curb
On their first recycling day, Boston homeowners can put their trees out between Jan. 3 and Jan. 14. The trees will be shredded into compost and distributed in several Boston parks to aid in the growth of plants.
According to the Boston Public Works Department, the trees will be collected as trash and taken to a waste-energy facility after the first two weeks of January.
Residents of Cambridge can also put their trees out between January 3 and January 14.
The trees should not be decorated and should not be placed in a plastic bag. According to the city, the trees will also be mulched and composted.
Residents can bring naked trees to the recycling center during business hours if they miss curbside collection. The deadline for dropping off a tree is January 29.
According to the city, Newton residents can have their trees picked up on their collection days between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10.
Residents of Quincy can set their trees out for collection from December 27 to December 31, as well as January 1 to January 7, according to the city.
Make a donation to a farm.
Christmas trees are a great treat for goats, and they’re also excellent for them. The pine needles, according to USA Today, contain trace amounts of nutrients, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. They also work as a natural dewormer.
Here are some suggestions from the Channell Homestead in Hanson if you wish to give your tree to a few hungry goats:
- Check to see if the trees have been treated with pesticides or fire retardants. If you’re unsure, inquire at the farm or store where you purchased your tree.
- There’s no way the tree isn’t living. Dead trees are not eaten by goats.
- Tinsel and decorations should not be left on the tree.
- A few Massachusetts farms are currently accepting Christmas trees for their residents. For drop-off directions, contact the farms.
Check with the Scouts in your area.
Local scouting groups frequently employ tree removal as fundraising for their community service.
Boy Scouts in Winchester are gathering trees in the town for $20 each. Orders must be placed by January 3 to be picked up on January 8. By 7 a.m. on Jan. 8, trees must be de-decorated and placed on the curb. By 4 p.m., they’ll be taken up.
During the first two weeks of January, Boston will collect and compost Christmas trees as part of a unique program to develop soil for city parks.
If you’re looking to get rid of a Christmas tree in Boston, you’ve come to the right place. The city’s Department of Public Works has created a one-of-a-kind and environmentally friendly Christmas tree collection that will decompose the trees and give them a second life.
Residents in Boston can place their trees on the curb by 6 a.m. on recycling days from Jan. 3 to 14, and the city will collect them.
The ornaments and lights on the trees must be removed. Trees will be taken up on the first day for those who have two recycling days.
After that, the trees will be shredded for compost and delivered to Boston parks to aid in the growth of new plants. The trees, however, will be collected as rubbish and transferred to a waste-energy facility to be utilized to create electricity after the first two weeks of January.
While not every city has its own strategy for Christmas tree disposal, other localities around the state continue to collect trees for residents.
Christmas trees are being collected on Millbury Street, Chandler Street, and Clark Street in Worcester until January 9th. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (at the Millbury Street site only).
On recycling days, Springfield will collect trees from individual residences from Jan. 4 to Jan. 28. They can then be disposed of in the Bondi Island Landfill.
In a Facebook post, Springfield also offered instructions on how to properly dispose of the trees and how to make sure they are accessible to personnel, including no holiday lights or ribbons.
Here are their tips for proper disposal of your Christmas tree:
Christmas trees will be collected starting Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 through January 28th, 2022. Trees will be collected on your recycle day. After this time, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Bondi island landfill. The DPW will not be picking up trees after January 28, 2022. As a reminder, all trees must be free from all decorations, including lights, ornaments, tinsel and tree stands.
Trees that are snow-covered or buried in snow banks will not be collected. Please make sure that the trees are accessible to the collecting crews.
DO’s and DON’Ts for holiday trash and recycling
Please DO include the following items in your Single Stream recycling mix:
- corrugated cardboard boxes. Flatten and tie in 3’ x3’ bundles, no tape. No waxed cardboard.
- paperboard gift boxes
- greeting cards (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter)
- gift wrap, gift bags, tissue wrap (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter).
- paper shopping bags (any type of handle is okay).
- newspapers/ inserts, magazines/catalogs
- paperbacks & phone books
- junk mail – windowed envelopes are OK.
- white and colored paper, computer paper, shredded paper – place in paper bags.
- all plastic bottles, jars, tubs and plastic microwave trays/containers under 2 gallons in size
- glass bottles/jars, all colors and sizes – Please remove and discard all caps
- aluminum, tin/steel cans and lids and aluminum foil
Please DO NOT include the following items in your recycling mix:
- ribbons, bows, and tinsel.
- packing peanuts and Styrofoam
- holiday lights
- paint or aerosol cans or other metal items
- broken or other glass such as light bulbs, window – auto glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex, ceramics
- no plastic grocery/newspaper bags
- containers over 2 gallons in size, motor oil, chemical or foam containers or flower pots
- pizza boxes
- batteries
- used paper plates, cups, napkins, toilet tissue
You can read their full Facebook post here.
For more up-to-date information about all types of tree removal, you can follow us on Twitter.
While we have your attention and you’re interest in the topic of getting rid of trees, you may find our article on why it is a good idea to remove tree stumps interesting. We also cover a few frequently asked questions there about tree stump and root removal.
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- How Do Trees Prevent Soil Erosion
- What is the Difference Between Trimming and Pruning Trees
