It was fun while it lasted, but its time has come. Yep, we're talking about kicking your Christmas tree to the curb.
What is arguably the least wonderful time of the year for many (broken ornaments! Unstringing lights! Those needles!) is now upon us, and the city of Cincinnati wants you to know there is a right way to dispose of your Christmas tree, which - as it turns out - is recyclable, if done properly.
Please note the following only applies to real Christmas trees. If you want to dispose of a fake Christmas tree, that goes out with your regular trash says a spokeswoman with Cincinnati's Department of Public Services.
Here's how to do it:
- Remove all items from the tree including ornaments, tinsel, stands and lights. (Here's how you can properly dispose of - and recycle! - unwanted or broken holiday lights.)
- Do not use a tree bag.
- Do not cut your tree into pieces. It may be placed at the curbside whole, minus all of the aforementioned adornments.
- Place your naked tree curbside on your next scheduled yard waste/recycling pickup.
Once picked up, trees are then chipped and used as pine mulch or are added to large compost piles.
If you have any questions or need more information call the City of Cincinnati Public Services Department at 513-591-6000.
Hamilton County residents also have the option of dropping off their tree and other greenery for composting. The county is offering three yard trimming drop-off sites beginning Saturday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, January 9, 2021 from 12-3 p.m.
Locations include:
- Oakdale Elementary School, 3850 Virginia Court, Green Township
- Rumpke Sanitary Landfill, 3800 Struble Road in Colerain Township
- Bzark Landscaping, 3295 Turpin Lane in Anderson Township
This option is only open to residents of Hamilton County and proof of residency is required. Trees should be free of all ornaments and tinsel and should not be placed in a tree bag. However, greenery and other yard waste must be bundled with twine or put in a container or bag (brown bags preferred). Containers and plastic bags will be returned.
Covington Tree Disposal
Covington is offering residents two ways to recycle their trees into mulch. Starting Monday, Jan. 4, you can call Rumpke at 800-828-8171 or email covington@rumpke.com 48 hours in advance to arrange to have your naked tree picked up from your curb on garbage collection day. This offering runs through Monday, Jan. 18.
Alternatively, you can drop off your tree at one of three locations beginning Saturday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 18:
- At the parking lot off of Tripoli and Hands Pike, adjacent to Neighborhood Park
- Devou Park Urban Forestry Garage at 1700 Montague Road
- The parking lot at 14 Pete Rose Pier, at the foot of Bakewell Street on the north side of the Ohio River floodwall
This story first appeared in December 2018 and has been updated.
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