Bah humbug…’Tis over but please don’t just toss your tree – discover where to recycle your Christmas tree. Recycle and create valuable organic materials that can be recycled and chipped into mulch. Please remove all non-organic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and hooks.  Foreign objects contaminate the mulch and damage the chipper. Get the Recycle locations throughout New Castle County here.

DNREC is encouraging Delawareans to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by delivering their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state. Some of the facilities will accept the trees for free; you will find their recycling services as well as DNREC-sponsored drop-off sites listed below. Many companies such as waste haulers and landscapers also collect Christmas trees. Your regular trash hauler may offer one-time collection for Christmas trees in January.

According to DNREC, Yard waste makes up a large percentage of the residential waste that goes into landfills. Keeping yard waste out of landfills by recycling and composting extends the life of the landfill and promotes sustainability

Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

DNREC Polly Drummond Hill Road Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site

• Located on Polly Drummond Hill Road, about a half-mile north of Kirkwood Highway. (Across from the entrance to the Judge Morris Estate) Newark, DE 19711 (302)739-9403
• Open 8 a.m. to sunset (4:30 p.m. or later) Friday, Saturday, Sunday only
• Closed Jan. 11, 2016 until May 7, 2016
• NO BAGS, NO LUMBER, NO DIRT, NO ROCKS; ONLY loose yard waste.
• Branches must be 4” diameter or less.
• Free drop-off for Delaware residents only, NO landscapers or businesses.
• More information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov

Copeland’s Mulch Depot 

• Routes 4 & 7 Stanton, DE 19804 (302)633-9536
• The retail area will be closed from 12/24 thru 1/3 with winter hours beginning on January 4th. The dump area will be closed 12/24 thru 12/27 and 1/1 thru 1/3.
• Accept both commercial and residential yard waste–no plastic bags, C&D, treated wood, or grass clippings.
• A fee is charged for yard waste drop-off.
• www.copelandsmulchdepot.com/recycling.html

Cherry Island Landfill DSWA composting/mulching

• 12th Street and Hay Road Wilmington, DE 1-800-404-7080
• Will accept yard waste bagged or loose. Loads should not be mixed with trash.
• A fee is charged for yard waste drop-off.
• www.dswa.com

Robert Gallo Mulch & Tree Service, Inc.

• 2204 Rodman Road Wilmington, DE 19805 (302)325-2257 800-BY-MULCH
• Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm
• Must remove bags and twine. Logs must be 12” diameter or less. No creosote or pressure treated wood.
• A fee is charged for yard waste drop-off.
• www.1800bymulch.com

Holland Mulch

• 135 Hay Road Edge Moor, DE 19809 302-765-3100
• Must remove bags. Christmas trees must be clean of all decorations.
• Open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri., 7:30 a.m. to Noon Saturday.
• Free yard waste dropoff is for Delaware residents only—contractors and others must pay a fee.
• www.hollandmulch.com

Middletown Materials

• 1559 Cedar Lane Road Middletown, DE 19709 (302)378-6306
• Accept both commercial and residential yard waste—no plastic bags.
•  A fee is charged for yard waste drop-off.

Pine Tree Corners Transfer Station DSWA composting/mulching

• 276 Pine Tree Road Townsend, DE 19734 1-800-404-7080
• Will accept yard waste bagged or loose. Loads should not be mixed with trash.
• A fee is charged for yard waste drop-off
• www.dswa.com

South Chapel Yard Waste Site (operated by Holland Mulch)

• 1034 S. Chapel Street (Route 72) Newark, DE 19702 302-737-1000
• Must remove bags. Christmas trees must be clean of all decorations.
• Open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. – Fri., and 7:30 a.m. to Noon Sat.
• Free yard waste drop-off is for Delaware residents only— contractors and others must pay a fee.

Other locations throughout the state also accept Christmas trees for recycling for a fee. For information on all yard waste drop-off sites in Delaware, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste and click “Yard waste drop-off options.”