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Christmas tree and wreath recycling

Garbage and recycling  ›  Christmas tree recycling

Find instructions and locations for Christmas tree and wreath recycling.

Recycling options

Many nonprofit organizations offer pickup services or locations where you can take Christmas trees and wreaths to be recycled. They will charge a small fee or request a donation. These nonprofit groups accept trees at least one day on the weekend after Christmas.

Nonprofit organizations provide this service as a fundraiser for many worthwhile projects and as a community service. Dumping trees after sites are closed creates hardship for the groups having to handle them.

Residents with curbside yard debris collection programs can recycle their trees at the curb. The tree preparation requirements and fees vary throughout the region. For details, call your local solid waste and recycling office, Metro Recycling Information or your garbage hauler...Find curbside recycling resources for your city

Recycling preparation

It is important to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands and other materials that are not part of the original tree. Most trees are ground up as part of the recycling process; foreign material can ruin a chipping machine. Also, nonorganic materials aren't good for a compost mixture. Some groups or businesses do not accept flocked trees.

Christmas wreaths and swags can be recycled with trees. Most recyclers ask that all frames and wire be removed.

Do not bring yard debris to nonprofit groups that are collecting trees.

If you would like your organization's Christmas tree recycling project to appear on Metro's web site and hotline, send e-mail to mri@oregonmetro.gov or call Metro Recycling Information at 503-234-3000.