The Department of Environmental Services promotes the practice of sustainability through education and awareness. When it's cold outside it can be difficult to get outside or motivate yourself. However, there are plenty of things to do in order to stay warm and sustainable.
Seasonal Recycling Lights, Trees & Shipping material
These locations and rates verified at start of season. Call to confirm prior to arriving.
| Business | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA Certified Computer Recycling Center | 528 N. Prince Lane | 417.866.2588 | None |
| Complete Electronics Recycling | 2935 W. Chestnut Expy | 417.864.4415 | None |
| Lowe's Home Improvement | 1850 E. Primrose St. only location | 417.889.1980 | None |
| All Metal Recycling | 3340 W. Division | 417.862.0011 | None*** |
Commercial Metals Company | 634 E. Phelps | 417.862.0548 | None*** |
*** Will pay $.10 per lb. of lights disposed.
| Business | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yardwaste Recycling Center | 3790 S. Farm Rd. 119 | 417.864.1904 | Free Dec. 26 - Jan. 31 |
| Wickman's | 1345 S. Fort Ave. | 417.862.3707 | $5 per tree donation |
| Bass Pro Shops | 2011 S. Campbell Ave. | 417.873.5618 | $2 per tree donation |
| Hansen's Greenwaste | 3341 S. Farm Road 107 | 417.877.8733 | Free Dec. 26 - Jan. 31 |
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD YARDWASTE RECYCLING CENTER
The Yardwaste Recycling Center will accept Christmas trees year-round.
Directions: West on Sunshine (U.S. Hwy. 60); south on Farm Road 115; left on Farm Road 164. Follow signs to the Yardwaste Recycling Center.
Dates accepted: Year-round. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Hours: 8am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sundays and Mondays (winter hours)
Fees: Free between Dec. 26 - Jan. 31, 2020; otherwise, the current volume based fees will apply. Donations are accepted. Existing commercial fees will apply to commercial loads, including Christmas trees.
Uses: Trees will be ground into screened and unscreened wood chip mulch, which is available for purchase at the YRC & Lone Pine recycling centers.
Special instructions: Remove tree stands and all decorations, no flocked trees accepted.
For more information contact: Recycling Hotline, 864-1904
WICKMAN’S
Wickman’s will accept trees at 1345 S. Fort Ave.
Dates accepted: Starting Dec. 26
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Fee: $5 per tree Donation; proceeds donated to Great Circle
Uses: Trees will be ground into wood chip mulch, which is available for free. Bring your own container.
Special instructions: Remove tree stands, all decorations, plastic bags, no flocked trees accepted.
For more information contact: 862-3707
BASS PRO SHOPS
Bass Pro will accept trees at their Outlet store south parking lot at 2011 S. Campbell Ave.
Dates accepted: Dec. 26 - Dec. 30, 2019
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. daily
Fee: $2 per tree Donation;
all proceeds benefit Ozark Trails Council Boy Scouts Wa-Sha-She Lodge Order of the Arrow.
Uses: Trees are used to provide wildlife habitat for rabbits, quail and songbirds.
Special Instructions: Remove tree stands and all decorations, no flocked trees accepted.
For more information, contact: Katie Mitchell, 873-5618
HANSEN’S GREENWASTE
Hansen’s Greenwaste will accept trees at 3341 S. Farm Road 107, Brookline.
Dates accepted: Year-round
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5:00pm
Fee: No fee charged December 26-January 31, 2020, for residential Christmas trees (only).
Special instructions: Remove tree stands, all decorations; no flocked trees accepted.
For more information contact: 877-8733
| Business | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Complete Electronics Recycling (Trees in poor condition accepted) | 2935 W. Chestnut Expy | 417.864.4415 | None |
| MO Council of the Blind Thrift Store | 2713 N. Kansas Expy | 417.831.7600 | None |
| MO Council of the Blind Thrift Store (New Location) | 520 E. Battlefield Rd. | 417.831.7600 | None |
| Habitat for Humanity Restore | 2410 S. Scenic Ave. | 417.829.4001 | None |
Other local thrift stores will accept artificial trees, as well.
Trees donated at thrift stores must be a useable and in good condition.
STYRofoam peanuts & sheets
Food grade styrofoam is not accepted. Commercial recycling is requested to call and inquire for pricing.
| Business | Address | Phone | Fee | Peanuts | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA Certified Computer Recycling Center | 528 N. Prince Lane | 417.866.2588 | $5 per load | ✅ | ✅ |
bubblewrap & Airpacks rolls & Sheets
Remember to pop prior to recycling.
These may also be returned with your plastic shopping bags to any big retailer and supermarket who accept.
| Business | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Store #2223 | 402 W. Mt. Vernon St. Nixa, MO | 417.725.6366 | None |
Wrapping & Tissue No foil or Glitter - PAPER ONLY
If the wrapping paper is free of glitter, not hard to tear and doesn't reflect the full power of the sun's rays, then it is safe to place in the recycling bin. Tissue paper can also be recycled if it is free of glitter - although it has a lower recyclability and saving that tissue for next year is an ideal alternative.
You may take these to any of the facilities below or place in your curbside.
| Location | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Recycling Center | 731 N. Franklin Ave | 417.864.1904 | Free |
| Lone Pine Recycling Center | 3020 S. Lone Pine Ave | 417.864.1904 | Free |
| Yardwaste Recycling Center | 3790 S. Farm Road 119 | 417.864.1904 | Free |
bows & Ribbons Great for next year
These are not recyclable, but generally always reusable. It's never a bad idea to put these to the side and save them to reuse for next year's holiday gifts. Trust us, it's okay, we do it too.
boxes paperboard & cardboard
Not everyone is familiar that there is a difference between paperboard and cardboard. Often paperboard is mistakenly recycled as-if it were cardboard. That gift box you received with the nice folded shirt is made from paperboard. The box that your online shopping purchases were sent in is cardboard.
You may take this to any of the facilities below or place in your curbside.
| Location | Address | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Recycling Center | 731 N. Franklin Ave | 417.864.1904 | Free |
| Lone Pine Recycling Center | 3020 S. Lone Pine Ave | 417.864.1904 | Free |
| Yardwaste Recycling Center | 3790 S. Farm Road 119 | 417.864.1904 | Free |
Do. it. yourself. Repurpose "Trash" into treasure
It's easy to ignore the potential of recyclable materials or old and unused goods. In the spirit of sustainability we want to share ideas of how new life can be given to items, such as: scrap paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastic bags, old books, magazines, junk mail, and so much more.
Be green and get crafty!
Ornaments
Don't hang around, get to crafting
All shapes, sizes, materials, quality and colors, ornaments can be crafted out of all sorts of old homemade items and recyclable materials. Click below and follow instructions for any of our ornament projects. Have fun and get experimental; making it even more unique and all your own.
Cards & More
Easy, Green, Affordable and fun
Cards, decorations and gifts are all perfect avenues for giving new life to all of those old materials and recyclable goods. An old food box can be made into a card, a plastic bag can become a wreath or wallet and past magazine subscriptions into wonderful holiday decorations.
Holiday D.I.Y. Craft Links: Click for steps
Ornaments For those of us with space on the tree.
Holiday D.I.Y. Craft Links: Click for steps
Decorations Who isn't looking for a new one?
Holiday D.I.Y. Craft Links: Click for steps
Cards & More Ways to keep in the spirit of the season.
Repurposed & Recycled Holiday Cards
Green Gift Ideas The best gifts aren't at the store
So often our first and last resort for gift giving starts and ends at an endless number of retailers. Don't bother braving the crowds or hoping that your last-minute online orders arrive.
Instead, consider some of these alternative options that we think are some of the best gifts!
Gift Certificates:
The Parkboard These can be used for activities, golfing, swim lessons, horseback riding, you name it! And did we mention, there is no expiration?!
Memberships:
Dickerson Park Zoo Who doesn't love animals? Give the gift of being able to be around a variety of small and large animals from across the globe.
Classes:
Art Museum Kids and Adults alike love to get their hands sticky with clay and clothes splattered with paint. Give the gift of creativity this holiday with an art class.
Rethink Food Get the most out of your yums
The holidays and food have become synonymous with one another. This generally results in more food being purchased and prepared and ultimately, more food being wasted. Being more responsible in our meal prep is not only good for our pocketbooks, but our environment, as well.
Reducing food waste is an important aspect of our sustainable teachings. In order to provide the best tips and tricks to prevent your dollar from wilting as fast as your lettuce, we have curated a few of what we believe are the most impactful links from SavetheFood.com to help you in your Green Holiday success.
Meal Preparation: Determine the right amount you need for every holiday meal with the SavetheFood.com Guest-imator.
Food Storage: It seems inconsequential that the way our asparagus, avocados and peanuts are kept could effect the shelf life of these foods. In fact, improper storing can drastically reduce how long your foods remain good.
Cooking with Leftovers & Scraps: We all have them after a meal. Now know what to do with them.
Be a Food Pro in the Know: From freezing to wasting less with kids to deciphering "Use by Dates" be armed with the proper knowledge to be sustainable in the kitchen this holiday.
