According to DNREC, 176,000 tons of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn and landscape materials were recycled last year.
Recycling these scraps sequesters carbon that fertilizes the soil and helps it retain moisture, according to the department.
Where to recycle your Christmas tree
State recycle sites
New Castle County has seven recycling sites, Kent County has three and Sussex County has fifteen. Click here to find one close to you.
Depending on the site, tree recyclers might have to pay a fee, but many locations accept the trees at no cost.
The period to recycle trees lasts from Dec. 26 to Jan. 28, 2023, but each site has its own schedule, so check ahead.
DNREC is also sponsoring a free Christmas tree recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH).
Volunteer opportunities are available at the family-friendly tree-shredding event as the Davey Tree team will be on hand to chip trees in a commercial chipper.
All woodchips produced from the event will be used in the DCH gardens, Shearman Street community garden, and public landscapes throughout Wilmington.
DNREC requires any ropes, wires, stands, metal objects, fake snow, ornaments, or any other addition to be removed from the trees before recycling them.
Wilmington will begin collecting discarded, real Christmas trees on regularly scheduled recycling days throughout the month of January.
Residents should place their trees at the curb for collection and remove any decorations, lights, or tree stands. Trees must be brought to the curb between 6 p.m. the day before collection and 4 a.m. the day of collection.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 7, city residents also have the option of taking their tree to the Delaware Center for Horticulture parking lot at 1810 North DuPont Street for its annual TreeCycle event.
Trees will be shredded for free courtesy of the Davey Tree Expert Company.
Follow this link for more information about trash and recycling in Wilmington.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
