The holiday season winds down and the ornaments find their way back into boxes, but the once-celebrated Christmas tree stands bereft of its finery, awaiting its final act. For Hillsborough County solid waste customers, this doesn't have to be a daunting task. The county provides several free and environmentally friendly options for disposing of your live Christmas trees. You can say goodbye to your festive fir without adding undue stress to your post-holiday clean-up or the environment.
One convenient method is curbside pickup. All you need to do, according to the Hillsborough County website, is to properly prepare your tree by removing every ornament, string of lights, and strand of tinsel. Make sure to hastily cut the tree into sections no longer than 4 feet and with branches that are no wider than 6 inches in diameter before placing them curbside on your regular yard waste collection day. This service simplifies the process, ensuring that the remains of your treasured tree are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
Alternatively, if you wish to skip the step of cutting up your tree, bring your live Christmas arbor in its entirety directly to a Yard Waste Processing Facility. The two facilities within the county, located at 13000 U.S. 41 in Gibsonton and 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa, will happily receive your tree. However, it's worth noting that these sites, along with all other solid waste facilities, will be closed on both Christmas and New Year's Days, so plan accordingly. For specific dates and times, be sure to check the Holiday Trash Collection Schedule.
In addition to the benefits for the environment, recycling and reusing your Christmas tree can be a creative way to directly give back to your yard. Transformed into mulch or used as an accent for landscaping, your once beloved tree can contribute to a flourishing garden in its second life. The pleasure of nurturing green spaces in our communities shouldn't be underestimated as part of the cycle of holiday festivities.
Embrace the spirit of sustainability this holiday season by taking advantage of the services offered by Hillsborough County. The effortless procedures in place ensure that transitioning from holiday cheer to responsible waste management is not only possible, but also painless. For further details on this program, visit the Hillsborough County newsroom announcement.
