How to recycle or repurpose your Christmas tree

Denver, CO — If putting an artificial tree back in the box for next year isn’t an option, there are plenty of ways for you to recycle your Christmas tree. 

Getting rid of your tree

If you’re looking to complete get rid of your tree, try the below drops off centers in the Denver-metro area. Choosing these bins will lessen the amount of trees ending up in landfills. In some cases, cities repurpose the trees themselves by replanting or turning them into mulch for residents. 

Longmont: Longmont Recycling Center, Roosevelt, Garden Acres, Kanemoto and Centennial parks from Dec. 26 to Jan. 7. 

Weekday locations until Jan 31st.

• Bayou Gulch, 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, Parker
• Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
• Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock
• Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St., Highlands Ranch 
• Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
  Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (enter on Smith Road)
  Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (next to the Denver Animal Shelter)

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on weekends until Jan 31st. 

• Sloan’s Lake Northwest Parking Lot  – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
  Bruce Randolph – E. 40^th Ave. and Steele St.
  Fred Thomas Park – 2400 Quebec St.
  Evie Dennis School Campus – 4800 Telluride St.
  Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
  Carson Elementary – 5420 E 1st Ave.
  Kennedy High School – Newland St. and Brown Pl.
  Slavens Elementary – 3000 S Clayton St.

 

Repurposing options

Compost – this option requires cutting the tree into finger-sized peices and allowing them to break down in your compost bin. 

Bird feeder – If you want birds to flock to your yard, cut your tree down however you’d like and cover the pieces in bird seed. Some use butter to help the seed stick. Place them wherever you desire in your yard and wait. 

Fragrance sacks – Want to keep the pine smell alive all year? Looking to use fallen needles? Fill small cloth bags with pine needles and place them in your home to savor the smell. 

You can also..

Replant 

Cut for fire wood

Place in your garden or pond for animal habitats 

 

Related reading 

• Some free and cheap things to do in January for Colorado
• How to care for your Poinsettas after the holidays