Recycle your Christmas tree … please

With the holidays drawing to a close, you may be wondering what to do with your Christmas tree, which has given your family so much enjoyment and perfumed your home with its fragrant piney boughs. You can return the favor by giving your tree a second life: Drop it off to be recycled into mulch instead of entombed in the landfill. Travis County residents may bring their trees (live trees only) to one of the county’s free Christmas tree recycling drop-off locations, open from Dec. 26-Jan. 10. Find a map of drop-off sites here.

If you’re a city curbside customer, you may leave your tree at the curb on your regular composting collection day or visit the city’s Tree Recycling web page to find out how to drop it off for recycling at Zilker Park. To ensure that your tree can be safely mulched, remove all ornaments, decorations, lights and tree stands as well as nails, staples and metal. Trees sprayed with flocking or artificial snow will not accepted. Don’t bag the tree, and if it’s taller than 6 feet, it will need to be cut in half. Want to get your hands on some of that Christmasy mulch? Free mulch will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. (weather permitting). Bring your own tools and storage containers for loading and transporting the mulch, and please wear your face mask.

P.S.: If you have holiday lights that no longer work, you can bring them to the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center at 2514 Business Center Drive. They will also be happy to accept your post-holiday piles of Styrofoam and cardboard packaging.