Baltimore County is ushering in the new year with its annual environmental initiative to recycle live Christmas trees, starting on January 5, 2026. Announced by county officials, the curbside collection program will span a period of two weeks. Residents looking to participate in the recycling effort should place their trees out by January 11, 2026, to ensure pick-up, as reported by NottinghamMD.com. The exact collection dates are not predetermined and will vary by neighborhood, warning that trees may not be collected on the regular trash or recycling collection days.
According to FoxBaltimore, residents should set their trees at the same location where they normally place their trash or recycling bins. Standard trash and recycling trucks will be employed to transport the discarded trees to facilities where they will be processed into mulch. The county stipulates that all decorations, including lights, tinsel, and ornaments—as well as the tree stands—must be removed before disposal, and that trees must not be bagged in plastic.
For residents of apartments or condominiums, the county encourages them to adhere to the guidelines provided by their property managers for proper tree recycling. If residents choose to dispose of their Christmas trees before the collection start date or miss the curbside pick-up, Baltimore County offers three drop-off locations that will accept trees under the same conditions as curbside collection. Details on these drop-off locations can be found on the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management website or by contacting the county directly at 410-887-2000.
