How to Recycle Your Holiday Tree Responsibly

Quick quiz: Holiday trees are what percent recyclable?

75% recyclable
50% recyclable
100% recyclable.

Answer: Holiday trees are 100% recyclable!

Athens Services will collect and recycle approximately 100,000 holiday trees this year. According to Statista, each holiday tree disposed of at a landfill will generate 35 pounds of greenhouse gases as it decomposes.

Athens makes it easy to reduce greenhouse gases from discarded holiday trees. Just place yours curbside with your containers on your regular service day, and Athens will pick it up. Click here to see the holiday tree pickup schedule for your city.

What Happens to Collected Holiday Trees?

Athens collects holiday trees and delivers them to the company’s American Organics compost facility in Victorville. The trees are processed and recycled into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in agriculture, public parks, and landscaping. Every year, Athens donates thousands of pounds of compost to local communities.

To make sure your tree is 100% recycled, follow these simple steps:

Remove stands, ornaments, lights, and tinsel.
If your tree is more than six feet in length, please cut it in half.
Place your holiday tree next to your containers on your regular pickup day.

Artificial trees and trees with flocking or fire retardants are NOT recyclable; they will be treated as trash and sent to a landfill. Request for the pick-up of these items by visiting athensservices.com/bulky/.

If you miss the tree pickup day, cut up your tree and place it in your yard waste container(s). Athens will haul it to American Organics for composting.

Athens is committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. Your assistance in keeping your neighborhood clean is appreciated. Click here for more information about holiday tree collection or call Athens at (888)-336-6100.

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