FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield Environmental Services wants residents to remember: When the holiday season is over, there may still be life left in your Christmas tree.
“No matter whether your family chooses a live or an artificial Christmas tree, there are ways to make sustainable choices when it comes time to dispose of it,” explains Sustainability and Market Development Coordinator Ashley Krug. “Our general advice is: If you go live, buy local and recycle it when you’re done. If you choose artificial, plan to reuse it for as many years as you can, then donate or recycle it.”
There are many options available in Springfield that allow you to recycle or repurpose your tree while also giving back to the local community.
Recycling options for live trees:
Springfield residents are reminded that live Christmas trees are not accepted at Missouri landfills; however, several options are available for recycling this year’s trees. Used trees can be repurposed to support new life as mulch for your spring garden and provide wildlife habitat for rabbits, quail and songbirds. Live trees can be disposed at the following locations:
The City of Springfield Yardwaste Recycling Center (3790 S. Farm Road 119, Brookline) will accept residential Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and other live decorations for no charge between Dec. 26, 2019, and Jan. 31, 2020. All other times of the year the standard fee schedule will apply. The facility is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays. Trees are NOT accepted at the Franklin Avenue and Lone Pine recycling centers.
Trees will be ground into wood chip mulch, available for purchase at the YRC and Lone Pine recycling centers. Please remember to remove tree stands, decorations, wiring and twine. No flocked trees are accepted. Call the City’s Recycling Hotline at 864-1904 for more information.
Bass Pro Shops will accept live trees at their outlet store south parking lot (2011 S. Campbell Avenue) between noon and 6 p.m., daily, Dec. 26 - 30. A $2 per tree donation is requested, benefiting projects for the Ozark Trails Council Boy Scouts Wa-Sha-She Lodge Order of the Arrow. Trees will be used to provide wildlife habitat for rabbits, quail and songbirds. For more information, contact Katie Mitchell at 873-5618.
Hansen’s Greenwaste (3341 S. Farm Road 107, Brookline) will accept residential Christmas trees for no fee Dec. 26, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2020. Please remove all tree stands and decorations. No flocked trees accepted. Call 877-8733 for more information.
Wickman’s Gardens (1345 S. Fort Avenue) will accept live Christmas trees beginning Dec. 26 for a $5 donation. Proceeds will be donated to Great Circle. Trees will be ground into wood chip mulch available for free if you bring your own container. Please remove all tree stands, decorations and plastic bags. No flocked or artificial trees accepted. For more information, call 862-3707.
Recycling options for artificial trees and string lights:
Artificial trees and holiday décor in usable condition are accepted for free at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2410 S. Scenic Ave.) and many local thrift stores. This is a great way to give your tree a second chance and bring holiday cheer to a new family. Call ahead to confirm need prior to arriving.
Artificial trees and string lights are accepted for recycling at Complete Electronics Recycling (2935 W. Chestnut Expy.) for no charge.
The AAA Certified Computer Recycling Center (528 N. Prince Lane) accepts string lights year-round for no charge.
Learn more about how to recycle, repurpose and create less waste throughout the holiday season by following @SGFEnvironmentalServices on facebook or Instagram, or @SGFEnvironServi on Twitter. All resources can be found on the City’s website at http://www.springfieldmo.gov/estips. For questions about recycling opportunities in Springfield, call the recycling hotline at 417-864-1904.
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For more information, contact Communication Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or [email protected].