How to recycle Christmas trees

Photo used under a Creative Commons courtesy kalleboo.

Did you know Christmas trees and greenery are banned from Missouri landfills?

Disposal in landfills takes up space, increases pollution, and prevents yard waste from beneficial reuse, according to the MidAmerica Regional Council (MARC).

But MARC says there are plenty of ways to recycle these materials. By recycling, the trees are diverted from landfills and can be used for a variety of purposes, including trail surfaces, erosion control, landscaping, and fish habitat in local lakes.

“Almost all metro-area residents now have a cost-effective and convenient opportunity to properly recycle their natural holiday trees and greenery,” said Matt Riggs, outreach coordinator for the MARC Solid Waste Management District. “It’s very important that residents remove lights, decorations, plastic bags, stands, metal frames, nails and wire from their trees and greenery before recycling them.”

In Kansas City, residents can have their trees picked up for a small fee or drop them off at a free drop-off site.

Pick up services

• Kansas City, Mo. – Nature’s Rubbish (816) 444-4050; Missouri residents only

Drop off locations 

• Kansas City, Mo. (North) – City of Kansas City, Mo., Leaves & Brush, 1815 N. Chouteau Trafficway, Kansas City, Mo., (816) 513-1313
• Kansas City, Mo. (Southeast) – City of Kansas City, Mo., Leaves & Brush, 10301 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 513-1313
• Kansas City, Mo. (East) – Missouri Organic Recycling, Inc., 7700 E. 40 Hwy., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 483-0908.
• Kansas City, Mo. (South) – Suburban Lawn and Garden Yard Waste Recycling Center, 139th & Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo, (816) 941-2438
• Kansas City, Mo. (South) – Damon Pursell Yard Waste Facility, 9001 Hickman Dr., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 304-3441

Visit www.RecycleSpot.org or call 816-474-8326 for a list of additional locations