How to Recycle Christmas Tree - Recycling Artificial and Real Christmas Tree

Get Ideas for Recycling Artificial and Real Christmas Tree

Christmas is over and now stands the big question in front of you- How to recycle Christmas tree? When it comes to recycling Christmas tree- a real Christmas tree outweigh the artificial one because you can think of numerous ways to recycle a real Christmas tree but not a 'real' solution for recycling an artificial Christmas tree. However, you can re-purpose or reuse the artificial tree instead of dumping it to lie in the landfill for coming several years! So, here are some ways to recycle real Christmas tree and some other ways to repurpose or reuse an artificial Christmas Tree!

How to Recycle Real Christmas Tree?

The best thing about a real Christmas tree is that it is biodegradable and thus you can recycle it in innumerable ways. Here are some methods for recycling your Christmas tree.

Locate and Donate the Christmas Tree to a Local Recycling Center

There are many organizations that collect the Christmas tree after holidays. Collect information about these recycling centers and donate your tree to them. You have many options for doing this. You can place tree on curbside to be picked up for recycling but know the guidelines beforehand. You can also drop off Christmas tree at one of the many drop-off locations marked by the recycling centers. Use this Christmas Tree Recycling Guide to get information about tree recycling programs in your area

Make Mulch from Christmas Tree

You can make remove and chip the branches of your Christmas tree to convert it into mulch and use it in your garden to surround your plants there or for the garden paths. You can also use it in your compost bin. You would need a wood chipper for the purpose. If you don't have it, you can ask for a favor from one of your neighbors who own a chipper. You can also find out whether the local public works department of your area is running such recycling program or not. These days, such departments shred and chip the tree branches, make mulch and give it back to you for using in your lawn or garden.

Provide Soil Erosion Barriers through Your Christmas Tree

Many communities these days use the Christmas trees for stopping soil erosion at lake and river shorelines. Find out such organizations who help in doing such task or you can also contact the Department of natural resources to get information whether they have such programs.

Provide Bird Feeders and Fish Feeders  through Your Christmas Tree

If you have a fish pond, you can use the Christmas tree for providing refuge and feeding area for fish. The Department of Natural Resources might also have chalked out a program to provide fish habitat through used Christmas trees. Alternatively, you can use the Christmas tree in your garden or backyard as a bird feeder. You can use food ornaments or real fruit slices or popcorn etc. to attract the winter birds to come and take shelter there. However, you should always remove any decorations, hooks, garland, tinsel strands etc. before placing the tree as bird feeder in your yard.

How to Recycle (Reuse) Artificial Christmas Tree?

This is a really bad thing that you cannot recycle artificial Christmas tree in its real sense but then you can avoid sending it to landfills too by reusing it for different purposes. Here are some ways  to reuse an artificial Christmas tree

• Separate some of the branches that are still intact and use them for some crafts. You can make napkin rings, candle rings, swags or other wall decorations, wreaths etc.
• You can still use your somewhat deteriorated Christmas tree for decorating your backyard. Just put on some LED lights and other decorative ornaments and place it at a corner of the yard.
• If you want to discard your old Christmas tree due to boredom and if it is still in a good condition, you can always donate it to some school or community center. They would be happy to get it.
• Cut and save the top of your tree and use it in center pieces to decorate your table top.