The Environmental Services Department would like to remind community members to recycle their old holiday trees and lights instead of sending them to landfills.
Now that the Christmas holiday is over, give Christmas trees new life by recycling them. Since live trees are biodegradable, they can be safely composted, mulched or disposed of with other yard waste. On the other hand, artificial trees are commonly made with metals and plastics that can’t be recycled. Similarly, light strands contain several materials that recycling facilities aren’t equipped to handle and sort. Donating, repurposing and recycling holiday trees and lights rather than sending them to landfills can help reduce environmental impact. To prepare trees for recycling, remove all decorations, including ornaments, hooks, garlands, tinsel and lights. Flocked and painted trees are not eligible for recycling.
Arcata residents have several holiday tree and light recycling and repurposing options, including:
Curbside Collection:
- Recology Arcata customers with yard waste collection can place their holiday trees in their green waste bin and it will be picked up. Cut the tree into 4 or 5-foot sections so the tree fits in the bin.
- Recology customers who do not have yard waste collection may schedule a tree pick-up for a small fee. Call Recology at (707) 442-5711.
Drop-Off Locations:
- Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA) offers free holiday tree drop-offs until Sunday, Jan. 12. After that date, there is a fee of $8 for green waste drop-offs. Commercial trees do not apply.
- The HWMA Transfer Station is located at 1059 W. Hawthorne St. in Eureka. Please call (707) 268-8680 for more information.
- Humboldt Sanitation also offers free holiday tree drop-offs until Sunday, Jan. 12. After that date, there will also be a small fee of $8 for green waste drop-offs.
- Their facility is located at 2585 Central Ave. in McKinleyville. Call (707) 839-3285 for more information.
- Steve Morris Logging will be accepting holiday trees as regular green waste. For residents of the City of Arcata, this counts as part of the no-cost drop-off allotment of 11 cubic yards per year.
- For non-residents there will be a small drop-off fee.
- Their facility is located at 1500 Glendale Dr. in McKinleyville. Call (707) 822-8537 for more information.
Repurpose Artificial and Real Trees:
- Turn an artificial tree into a wreath or garland. Even if some parts are broken it doesn’t mean all of it needs to end up in a landfill.
- Remove branches and attach them to a hoop or arrange them in a circle to make a wreath.
- Wrap branches around twine or a string of broken lights to create a garland.
- Change the theme of the tree, wreath or garland to represent another holiday like Valentine’s Day or another season like spring.
- Chop up a real tree at home and use it as firewood. Be sure to use proper protection equipment while cutting and then dry out the wood before burning.
Light Recycling:
- Options to recycle broken holiday lights are unavailable locally. Community members who would like to recycle their holiday lights can box up and mail old lights to a specialized recycling company.
- Holiday LEDS in Michigan provides a light recycling service. For more information, visit holidayleds.com/free-light-recycling.
- STEP 1: Package lights in recyclable boxes or packaging.
- Coordinate with friends, neighbors, co-workers and whoever else to collect lights and send in one bulk shipment. This reduces shipping costs for everyone and reduces the environmental impact of shipping!
- STEP 2: Address and send the lights by USPS, FedEx or UPS Ground to Holiday LEDS Recycling, W227N6225 Sussex Rd, Sussex, WI 53089
- STEP 3: Once the lights have been packed up and shipped, complete the Christmas light recycling form on their website for a coupon.
For any questions or to learn more about the City’s solid waste programs and tips call the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184 or visit cityofarcata.org/275/Recycling-Garbage-and-Organics.