Why You Should Recycle Your Tree
Recycling your Christmas tree directly impacts our state! Each year, Louisiana loses miles of coastal wetlands. By recycling your tree, you help provide a natural fence of trees that slows the erosion of the coast, so our wetlands can continue to protect us from hurricane surges, naturally filter storm water, and house wildlife. What’s not to love about that? Unfortunately, not every Christmas tree is accepted for recycling, so make sure your tree qualifies before scoping out recycling locations.
Does Your Tree Qualify?
Is your tree real?
Are ornaments, tinsel, and decorations removed?
Is your tree free of lights and its stand?
Is your tree green (flocking-free/non-flocked)?
If you answered YES to all of these questions, congratulations! You can officially recycle your tree! See below for options available in your area.
Where to Bring Your Tree:
Covington
On the western side of St. Tammany, citizens can leave trees at the parish fairgrounds in Covington, via the entrance near Lyon Elementary School, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays through January 29.
Hammond
Beginning December 26 through Mardi Gras from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hammond Maintenance facility, 18104 Hwy. 190, next to Piggly Wiggly Super Market.
The Southeastern Sustainability Center, 2101 North Oak Street, will collect trees January 5 through the end of the month from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 to 10 a.m. on Friday.
Slidell
January 3 through January 29, trees can be dropped off at the old Levee Board building at 61134 Military Road from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Where Curbside Pickup is Available:
**If your area is not listed, contact your garbage service to find out if they collect Christmas trees for recycling. Many companies offer this service, but only to their customers.**
Abita
Progressive Waste Solutions will pick up trees curbside Wednesday, January 11.
Covington
Progressive Waste Solutions will pick up trees curbside Monday, January 9.
Jefferson Parish (Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, Lafitte, Westwego)
Place trees curbside on the evening of Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Garbage trucks will make one pass during the January 12, 13, and 14, 2017.
Mandeville
Progressive Waste Solutions will pick up trees curbside Tuesday, January 10.
Orleans Parish
Place trees at the curb–not on the neutral ground–before 5 a.m. on regularly scheduled second collection day from January 12-14 in areas served by Richard’s Disposal and Metro Services. Properties in the French Quarter and the Downtown Development District, served by Empire Services, should place trees curbside before 4 a.m. on January 12.
Last year we dropped our tree in MARCH (we always decorate it with all things purple, gold and green and keep it til after Mardi Gras is over) at Bayou Sauvage directly. I cannot remember the name of the people we talked to but think it’s possible to find through this recent update of the tree program at the FWS:
https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147568331