COLUMBIA, S.C. — Christmas is past, so now it's time to take down the tree.
And, the Midlands community has the opportunity to recycle it, thanks to Keep the Midlands Beautiful and its annual 'Grinding of the Greens'.
Starting Thursday, December 26 and through Thursday, January 9, trees can be dropped off and turned into mulch.
Free mulch from the recycled trees will be available to the public beginning at 8:30 a.m. until the mulch runs out Saturday, Jan. 11, at the SC State Farmers Market (3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia) and Seven Oaks Park (200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, near the intersection of St. Andrews and Piney Grove roads).
There are 12 drop-off locations around Lexington County and 11 locations around Richland County. Days and hours at each location varies.
Remember to remove your tree from the stand, remove lights, tinsel and ornaments, strings, wires or ties from the tree.
Drop off trees only. Wreaths, garland and other greenery will not be accepted.
LEXINGTON COUNTY
Ball Park Collection & Recycling Center: 301 Ball Park Rd, Lexington. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m. –7 p.m., Sun 3–7 p.m.
Bush River Rd Collection & Recycling Center: 6109 Bush River Rd Columbia. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 3–7 p.m.
Chapin Collection & Recycling Center: 103 Distant Lane, Chapin. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun 3 –7 p.m..
Crooked Creek Park: 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin (next to Chapin Middle School). Daily 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Edmund Collection & Recycling Center: 325 Landfill Lane, Lexington. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun 3 – 7 p.m.
Edmund C&D Landfill: 498 Landfill Lane, Lexington, SC 29073. M-Sat 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hollow Creek Tree Farm: 228 Windmill Rd, Gilbert. Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m..
Sandhills Collection & Recycling Center: 3241 Charleston Hwy, Cayce. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m. –7 p.m., Sun 3–7 p.m..
Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church: 5503 Sunset Blvd, Lexington. Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Seven Oaks Park: 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia. (Near intersection of St. Andrews & Piney Grove) Daily 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.
South Carolina State Farmers Market: 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia. Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m..
Southeast Collection & Recycling Center: 538 Martin Neese Rd, Swansea. M-W-F & Sat 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun 3 – 7 p.m.
RICHLAND COUNTY
Caughman Rd Park: 2733 Trotter Rd, Hopkins M-F 2-9 PM, Sat 9 a.m. – 8 PM, Sun 1–6 p.m.
City of Columbia Compost Facility: 121 Humane Ln, Columbia (off Shop Rd across from SPCA). M-F 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development: 900 Clemson Rd., open all day, every day through the Grinding of the Greens program
Forest Lake Park: 6820 Wedgefield Rd Columbia. M-F 2–9 PM, Sat 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 1–6 p.m.
Fort Jackson Recycling Center: Building #5671 on Lee Rd, Fort Jackson. (Enter the Fort through Gate 2 on Forest Dr. After Burger King, turn left onto Lee Rd.) M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m..
Friarsgate Park: 1712 Chadford Rd, Irmo. M-F 2–9 PM, Sat 9 a.m.– 8 p.m., Sun 1–6 p.m..
Lower Richland Drop-off Center: 10531 Garners Ferry Rd. Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Polo Road Park: 800 Polo Rd, Columbia. M-F 2-9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun 1-6 p.m.
Richland Co. C&D Landfill: 1070 Caughman Rd, North, Columbia (off Monticello). M-F 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sat 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Richland County Tennis Center: 7500 Parklane Rd, Columbia M-TH 9 a.m.–9 p.m., F 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
St. Andrews Park: 920 Beatty Rd, Columbia. M-W-F 2 –9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 1–6 p.m..