How to dispose of your Christmas tree, from curbside pickup to drop-off sites

LANSING — When you’re tired of watering that live Christmas tree, it’s time to ditch it.

There are a number of ways to recycle your tree this year. Many cities and townships offer disposal services that are often as simple as putting out a tree on your trash day.

But there’s a bit of work first: Remove ornaments, lights or wires. Also, don’t bother bagging it up and cut the tree into segments of 6 feet or less if it’s a tall tree. The trees will generally be mulched and used around the cities and townships.

Lansing

City residents can get their tree shredded by leaving it on the curb during normal pickup days. The city has not released its exact dates yet but will be accepting trees starting in January.

As in previous years, the city asks that tree lengths be limited to 4 feet, requiring almost all trees to be cut at least once.

East Lansing

The city offers curbside pickup of real Christmas trees, from Jan. 6 to Jan. 17.

No phone calls or stickers are required, just put it at the curb or drop it off at one of these centers:

The trees will be shredded and the mulch will be used in East Lansing parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which uses the mulch for rabbit habitats.

Meridian Township

The township’s Nancy Moore Park, 1960 Gaylord C. Smith Court, in Haslett is open from dusk to dawn from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 for drop-offs of natural Christmas trees or wreaths.

Reclaimed by Design

Meridian Township’s recycling center is operated by Reclaimed by Design and the private company accepts trees year-round, for a fee.

Natural trees cost $5 if they’re 6 feet or under and $10 if they’re taller. Artificial trees range from $5 to $15 depending on size. The center also accepts yard waste ($20 a cubic yard or $3 for a compostable bag) and general waste ($25 a cubic yard or $3 for a 30-gallon bag).

The center is open 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The center is closed on Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 31 as well as Jan. 31.

Delta Township

Delta Township residents can dispose of natural Christmas trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 at the Delta Township Recycling Center, 5717 Millett Hwy., on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.

The trees will be chipped and used for various landscaping projects throughout the township.

The Parks and Recreation Maintenance Building will still host a collection like in previous years, however, there will be limited access due to construction taking place at the site.

Waverly

The community offers disposal through curbside pickup, not alleyways, on normal garbage days.

Wreaths and garland will also be picked up.

State Christmas tree

The state’s Christmas tree, perched outside of the Capitol building, is a 60-foot spruce donated by an Eagle family.

If you have a 60-foot tree, here is how the professionals dispose of theirs.

When time comes, the Lansing Board of Water and Light will remove the bulbs and wires and the city’s forestry department will take the tree apart, said Matt White, facilities director for the capitol.

He said a big portion of trunk will often be given to the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association or another organization, where experts can turn the wood into benches or other projects.

The branches and smaller parts will get shredded and used for mulch around the region, White said, no different than most of the 6-foot trees that homeowners recycle.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: How to dispose of your Christmas tree, from curbside pickup to drop-off sites

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