“The holidays are over, and it’s now time to clean up, clear the ornaments, decorations and wrapping paper out and take down that tree,” said Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio as he announced that the County will once again recycle Christmas trees free of charge.
To be eligible for free disposal, residents or municipalities should bring the trees to the Resource Recovery Complex in Florence and Mansfield as a separate load — that is, not mixed with trash. No artificial or flocked trees can be accepted. All plastic bags, ropes, decorations, garland, tinsel, ornaments, lights, stands, wires and nails should be removed.
“This service increases local recycling and is a money saver for our municipalities,” said Director Garganio. “The benefits don’t end there; ‘treecycling’ is an opportunity for residents to give back to the environment. Recycled trees can be repurposed to enhance parks across the county and even return valuable nutrients to the environment.”
Each town handles tree, brush and yard waste differently so residents are recommended to contact their municipality to see if they offer curbside collection of Christmas trees for recycling.
“The National Christmas Tree Association reports 25 million to 30 million live Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year and for every tree harvested up to 3 seedlings are planted in its place the following spring. Of the 350,000 acres in use for growing Christmas trees, each acre provides the daily oxygen required for 18 people, making them the ‘greener choice’ compared to artificial trees,” explained Garganio.
For details on bringing in Christmas trees for treecycling call the Resource Recovery Complex scalehouse Monday through Friday 7 a.m. — 5 p.m. or Saturday 7 a.m. — noon at (609) 499–5300 or the County Recycling Office at (609) 499–1001.
