How do I dispose of my Christmas tree and other holiday items?
HOLIDAY RECYCLING
- How do I dispose of my Christmas tree if I have residential curbside service?
Residents of single family homes with curbside collection service may place Christmas trees curbside on their regularly scheduled yard waste collection day. The tree will be collected free of charge. Trees must be free of all decorations including lights, tinsel and ornaments.
Do not wrap trees in plastic. In order to fit into the waste collection trucks, trees over six feet in length must be cut in half. Trees should be placed curbside before 6 a.m. on the yard waste collection day, but no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening prior.
- I live in a condominium with commercial service, how do I dispose of my Christmas tree?
Residents of multi-family complexes, those with dumpster and compactor service, may contact the property management.
*Please do not place trees in dumpsters or compactors.*
Live Christmas trees may also be taken to one of Collier County's recycling drop-off centers at no charge. Artificial Christmas trees are not accepted at recycling drop-off centers.
- What do I do with my cardboard and gift boxes?
Gift boxes can be reused or be placed in your recycling cart. Cardboard boxes will only be recycled if broken down flat. Flatten and place small boxes into your recycling cart. Make sure the cardboard does not stop other recyclables from being emptied. Remove all paper and packing material. Cut large boxes to a size not exceeding three feet by three feet. You may place large flattened cardboard next to your recycling cart on the day your recycling is collected. Remember that if you choose not to break down your boxes or place them in your recycling cart, they will not be recycled.
- How do I recycle wrapping paper?
Most wrapping paper is fully recyclable and may be placed in your curbside recycling cart. Wrapping material that is not recyclable and must be disposed of in the trash includes:
- Ribbon
- Bows
- Tissue Paper
- Flocked wrapping paper
- Foiled wrapping paper
- Glittered wrap
ECO-FRIENDLY IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Green ideas for holiday season:
- Wrap gifts in creative wrapping paper substitutes, such as decorated brown paper grocery bags, children's art work, old maps, newspapers, Sunday comics, or holiday gift bags that can be reused. Reusing gift bags is a great way to recycle over and over again.
- Shipping boxes can also be recycled. The reuse of shipping boxes is fairly easy. Simply cut open the box, flip it inside out, and then use non-toxic paint to decorate the outside of the box.
- If you use traditional wrapping, look for recycled-content wrapping paper.
- If you send holiday cards, buy recycled content cards and envelopes.
- Send electronic cards, they are fun and save trees and energy.