Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and it is time for out with the old and that includes your live Christmas tree. I love live trees because they smell so good, but then there is always the question of what to do with it when you are done.
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Of course, you could always just put it on the side of the curb for trash pickup, but aren’t there some better, greener solutions?
There are!
First, many communities are now offering Christmas tree recycling pick-ups. And, if your community doesn’t offer pick-up, they may at least have a location you can take the tree for recycling.
What is the difference in recycling a Christmas tree versus just having it thrown in the trash?
Well, if you have it recycled, there are many uses for it in the local area. First of all, it can be used to make mulch. I am a city girl, so I don’t have my own wood chipper, but if you do, you can do this yourself. I would have to recycle the tree and just know that maybe somewhere, it was being turned into mulch.
Or, maybe it would help save shoreline erosion. Many communities are now using donated Christmas trees to help reduce erosion of local oceans, rivers, and lakes. Just like the bushes you often see along a beach, the Christmas trees can be placed there to help prevent the sand from washing away.
If you don’t have recycling services in your area, you can use your old tree as a bird habitat in your backyard. Of course, make sure all the trimmings are gone so it doesn’t harm the birds. Make sure it is secure with either a stand or stakes. You can even smear peanut butter on a pinecone then roll it in birdseed to make it even more bird-friendly.
Before you just toss that tree to the curb, think about the ways it can be used.