DNREC and the Delaware Center for Horticulture are encouraging families to recycle their holiday trees at the DHC TreeCycle event on Jan. 6, 2024. Photo/Delaware Center for Horticulture

DNREC, Delaware Center for Horticulture Team Up to Keep Trees Working for our Environment

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in partnership with the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) are encouraging families to recycle their live holiday trees by hosting TreeCycle, a free-of-charge, family-friendly tree recycling event that will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the DCH parking lot, 1810 North Dupont Street, Wilmington, Del. The rain date will be Sunday, Jan. 7.

To keep your holiday trees working for the environment, the Davey Tree Expert Company will be onsite to chip them using its commercial chipper/grinder to produce wood chips that will be used in DCH gardens, the Shearman Street community garden and other public landscapes throughout the city of Wilmington.

For equipment and operator safety, all ornaments, tinsel and other decorations, fake snow, light strings and stands must be removed before chipping. No artificial trees will be accepted.

Additional support for this event is provided by Republic Services. More information about the TreeCycle event can be found at thedch.org. Donations will be accepted to benefit DCH’s community forestry efforts.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

About Delaware Center for Horticulture
Since 1977, the Delaware Center for Horticulture has inspired individuals and communities through the power of plants. Its work includes creating and maintaining the first Urban Farm in the city of Wilmington, establishing the Branches to Chances Return to Work Program, beautifying public landscapes, planting and advising on the urban placement of trees, and hosting educational programs and community events. For more information, visit www.thedch.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov
DCH: Caitlyn Ridgley, cridgley@thedch.org

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Commercial Yard Waste Sites Available Statewide for Convenient Drop-off

After the holidays, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control encourages Delawareans to keep their real Christmas trees out of the state’s landfills by recycling them at any of the many yard waste recycling sites located throughout the state. Tree mulch is great for helping conserve and enhance First State soil by sequestering carbon that both fertilizes the soil and helps it retain moisture.

Christmas tree recycling also saves valuable space in Delaware’s landfills. More than 176,000 tons of yard waste – which includes grass, leaves, brush, trees (Christmas trees prominent among them) and other lawn/landscape materials – was recycled in 2021. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, many of these materials – considered reusable resources – were sent to landfills, taking up space rather than being handled through local markets for mulch and home composting.

Residents have the option to choose from among many sites in Delaware to drop off their Christmas tree. Some of these sites accept trees at no cost, while others charge for the service. Before residents drop off their tree, call the site in advance to see what restrictions are in place and whether there is a charge for accepting a tree to be recycled. Residents who pay for curbside collection service should call their waste hauler to see if they offer Christmas tree pickup. If pickup is unavailable from haulers, check the list of yard waste drop-off sites on the DNREC website at de.gov/yardwaste.

Trees may be accepted as soon as Dec. 26 and as late as Jan. 28, 2023, but. as each yard waste facility has its own schedule, calling ahead or checking the DNREC website is advised. Likewise, commercial haulers or landscapers should call a facility prior to delivering loads of Christmas trees to be mulched. Christmas trees are not accepted for recycling at Delaware State Parks and it is illegal to leave or dump them on dunes or beaches, or anywhere within a state park.

Whether dropping off a Christmas tree or having it collected, prepare the tree for recycling into mulch by stripping off all decorations and lights, removing any flocking (fake snow) and detaching tree stands.

Delawareans also are reminded that Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 is the last day to drop off materials, including Christmas trees, at the Polly Drummond Hill Road yard waste site in northern New Castle County. The DNREC-administered site will close at sundown Sunday, Jan. 15 and will reopen for spring on Saturday, March 25. More information can be found at de.gov/yardwaste.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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When put out for pick up or dropped off for recycling, Christmas trees should look exactly as they did when purchased for the holidays – stripped of all adornment, including tinsel, flocking and ornaments. /DNREC photo

Residents May Drop Off Trees at Yard Waste Sites Throughout the State

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control encourages Delawareans to regift their real Christmas trees to the environment by recycling them at one of the many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state. Tree mulch is great for helping conserve and enhance First State soil.

Christmas tree recycling also saves valuable space in Delaware’s landfills. More than 158,000 tons of yard waste, which includes grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn/landscape materials, was recycled in 2020. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, many of these materials – considered reusable resources – were sent to landfills, taking up space rather than being handled through local markets for mulch and home composting.

Residents can choose from among many sites where to drop off their Christmas tree in Delaware. Some of these sites accept trees at no cost, while others charge for the service. Before residents drop off their tree, call the site in advance to see what restrictions are in place and if there is a charge. Residents who pay for curbside collection service should call their waste hauler to see if they offer Christmas tree pickup. If pickup is unavailable from their haulers, check the list of yard waste drop-off sites on the DNREC website at de.gov/yardwaste.

Trees may be accepted as soon as Dec. 26 and as late as Jan. 28, 2022, but each facility has its own schedule. Commercial haulers or landscapers should call a facility prior to delivering loads of trees. Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at Delaware State Parks.

Whether dropping off a Christmas tree or having it collected, prepare the tree for recycling into mulch by stripping off all decorations and lights, removing any flocking (fake snow) and detaching tree stands.

Delawareans also are reminded that Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 is the last day to drop off materials, including Christmas trees, at the Polly Drummond Hill Road yard waste site. The site will close at sundown Sunday, Jan. 16 and reopen for spring on Saturday, March 26. More information can be found at de.gov/yardwaste.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov, or Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Drop Your Tree at a Yard Waste Site or Call Your Waste Collector

Delawareans who have celebrated their holidays can help the environment by recycling their Christmas trees at one of the many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state.

Residents can choose from many sites in Delaware to drop off their Christmas tree. Some of these sites accept trees at no cost, while others charge for the service. Before dropping off trees, call the site in advance to see what restrictions are in place and if there is a charge. Residents who pay for curbside collection service should call their waste hauler to see if they offer Christmas tree pickup. Trees may be accepted as soon as Dec. 26 and as late as Jan. 28, 2021, but each facility has its own schedule. Commercial haulers or landscapers should call a facility prior to delivering loads of trees.

Whether dropping off a Christmas tree or having it collected, prepare it to be recycled into mulch by stripping off all decorations and lights, removing any flocking (fake snow) and detaching tree stands. Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at Delaware State Parks.

Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space. Over 173,000 tons of yard waste, which includes grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn/landscape materials, was recycled in 2019. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, many of these materials — considered resources — were sent to landfills, taking up valuable space rather than being handled through local markets for mulch and home composting.

Kent County will collect Christmas trees only from Jan. 4 to 8 and  Jan. 11 to 15, 2021 (on customers’ regular trash day) for those in trash districts that have yard waste collection service. New Castle and Sussex trash customers should check with their waste haulers for information about tree pickup. If pickup is unavailable from their haulers, check the list of yard waste drop-off sites at de.gov/yardwaste.

Delawareans also are reminded that Jan. 17, 2021 is the last day to drop materials off at the Polly Drummond Hill Road yard waste site. It will close for the season on Jan. 18, 2021 and reopen for the spring on March, 20, 2021. More information can be found at de.gov/yardwaste.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Take your tree to a yard waste site or contact your waste collector

DOVER – DNREC encourages Delawareans to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by taking their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state. Christmas trees will be accepted free of charge for recycling from Delaware residents at a number of facilities listed below; other drop-off sites may charge a fee as noted. The Department also reminds residents that Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at any of DNREC’s Delaware State Parks.

“Recycling Christmas trees has been an environmentally-friendly tradition for many years, and we hope that Delawareans will continue that tradition this holiday season,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.

Residents can bring in their trees as early as today’s date and as late as Jan. 28, 2019, but should contact a facility beforehand for specific hours and details. Trees will not be accepted from commercial haulers or tree vendors without prior approval. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel, flocking (fake snow), and ornaments, as well as wood and metal tree stands, must be removed from all trees before dropping them off for recycling.

Only Christmas trees will be accepted for free from Delaware residents. Facilities may charge a fee for other yard waste. Other locations throughout the state, including some businesses, waste haulers, and landscapers, also accept Christmas trees for recycling for a fee. Also, your regular trash hauler may offer special collection dates for Christmas trees in January, and municipal or regional collection or drop-off events may be held in your area.

Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space in Delaware. More than 180,000 tons of yard waste, including grass, leaves, brush, trees, and other lawn maintenance and landscaped materials, was recycled throughout the state in 2017. Prior to Delaware’s yard waste ban, many of these materials – considered a resource for composting and reuse rather than waste – were deposited in landfills, taking up valuable space and limiting local markets for mulch and compost products.

Christmas trees may be dropped off by Delaware residents at the following locations:

New Castle County

Copeland’s Mulch Depot (Free for trees purchased at Copeland’s; otherwise $5)
2 Honeysuckle Drive, Stanton, DE 19804; phone 302-633-9536
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.*
Closed until Jan. 2

Polly Drummond Hill Road Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site (FREE)
Located in the Pike Creek area on Polly Drummond Hill Road, about 1/2 mile north of Kirkwood Highway.
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Jan. 13. The site will close starting Jan. 14; for more information, visit www.de.gov/yardwaste.

Kent County

Kent County will collect Christmas trees on residents’ regular trash days from Jan. 7-11 and 14-18 for customers in trash districts with yard waste collection service.

Sussex County

Grizzly’s Landscape Supply Service ($10/tree)
14680 Coastal Highway, Milton, DE 19968, phone 302-644-0654
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*

Mr. Mulch (Free Christmas Tree Recycling)
22288 Coverdale Road, Seaford, DE 19973, phone 302-629-5737
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m.*

Millville Organic Center (Free Christmas Tree Recycling)
Whites Neck Road (0.5 miles North of Route 26) Millville, DE 19967, phone 302-423-2601
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*
NOTE: Closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2, reopens Jan. 3.

Selbyville Mulch, Stone, & Soil (free for active customers within the last 6 months)
38205 DuPont Boulevard, Selbyville, DE 19975, phone 302-436-8286
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.*

Stockley Materials (Free Christmas Tree Recycling)
25136 DuPont Boulevard, Georgetown, DE 19947, phone 302-856-7601
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.*

*Please call ahead as businesses may alter their hours of operation around the holidays.

Delawareans are also reminded that Jan. 13, 2019 is the last day to drop materials off at DNREC’s Polly Drummond Hill Road yard waste site, which will close for maintenance Jan. 14.

For more information about yard waste, including drop-off sites, visit DNREC’s website, www.de.gov/yardwaste, or call 302-739-9403, ext.1.

Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 341