Travis County is offering residents a chance to recycle their Christmas trees at no cost, starting December 26 and continuing through January 12. Five drop-off locations are available for this purpose, providing an opportunity for residents to dispose of their live Christmas trees responsibly.
The county has long supported tree recycling for those who purchase live trees. Residents are encouraged to adhere to specific disposal requirements before dropping off their trees to ensure they can be properly mulched and recycled. There is no fee associated with this service for Travis County residents.
Commercial retailers can also participate in the free recycling program for bulk drop-offs ranging from 10 to 25 trees. These must be scheduled at either the West Service Center or East Service Center by contacting the respective main lines during business hours. As with individual drop-offs, commercial retailers must follow all disposal guidelines.
Drop-off sites will operate daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including locations such as the West Service Center in Austin and the Del Valle Adult Softball Complex in Del Valle.
Disposal requirements specify that only natural trees are accepted, with all decorations, stands, nails, and other materials removed. Trees treated with artificial snow or flocking will not be accepted, nor will those wrapped in netting or rope. Trees taller than six feet need to be cut in half.
Additional resources and information about tree recycling can be found on Travis County's website or by contacting conserve@traviscountytx.gov.
City of Austin curbside customers have the option of leaving their trees at the curb on designated collection days, while others may utilize Zilker Park for drop-offs. Further details about alternative options and volunteer opportunities are available on Austin's official website.
Holiday lights that are no longer functional can be recycled at the Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center in Austin, which also accepts certain types of packaging waste like Styrofoam and cardboard.
For more comprehensive guidance on recycling locations throughout Travis County, individuals can use the online Recycling and Waste Drop-Off Locator tool provided by local authorities.