LEXINGTON, S.C. — From unwrapping gifts to wrapping up the holiday season. Depending on your tradition, you may soon be taking it’s that time of year to take down your Christmas tree.
Lee McIntyre is the deputy director of solid waste in Lexington County. He encourages tree owners to consider recycling their trees after this holiday season.
“The most important reason to recycle trees after Christmas and the holidays is environmental reasons. most trash goes straight to the landfill and it’s there forever so when we recycle them, they get ground up, made into compost and repurposed. so instead of being a burden on the environment they’re actually a nutrient for the environment,” he said.
This is not only for people with authentic Christmas trees. Owners of artificial trees who are looking to replace their tree next year can also give back to the environment.
McIntyre says the amount of waste they've taken at their landfills has doubled over the last ten years, because of this they are trying to divert certain waste from entering the landfills.
"Christmas trees are a big thing so they produce a lot of waste. Diverting them from the landfill increases the life of the landfill significantly," he said.
Traude Sander is the executive director of Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a local nonprofit working to educate community members on how recycling, litter prevention and beautifying their neighborhoods. She says some community members might be looking to dispose of their Christmas trees on their curbs, but that may lead to some issues.
“if you put something at the curb in yard waste that is longer than 4 feet, the rule is 4 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet. so if it’s bigger than that those trash truck companies can just leave it there indefinitely, it’s your responsibility to dispose of it properly,” Sander said.
All decorations and lights should be removed from trees before they are dropped off at a facility. If you’re recycling an artificial tree be sure to remove any wiring to prevent any tangling in the recycling equipment.
Keep the Midlands Beautiful tells News 19 you can download the Waste Wizard App for instructions on how to recycle any items you might be looking to get rid of.
Here is a full list of where you can drop off your Christmas trees:
Collection and Recycling Centers in Lexington County
- 301 Ball Park Road, Lexington, SC 29027
- 6109 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212
- 103 Distant Lane, Chapin, SC 29036
- 325 Landfill Lane, Lexington, SC 29073
- 3241 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia, SC 29172
Edmund Landfill, Transfer Station & Compost Facility
- 429 Landfill Lane, Lexington, SC 29703
In Richland County:
Lower Richland Drop Off Center
- 10531 Garner Ferry Road, Eastover, SC 29044
C&D Landfill Drop Off Center
1070 Caughman Road North, Columbia, SC 29203
In Sumter County:
- County Recycling Centers: Rainaire Boulevard, Stamey Livestock Road, Cane Savannah Road, Pinewood Road, Queen Chapel Road, Bethel Church Road, Alligator Branch Road, Pleasant Grove Road and Spencer Road (view map)
In Orangeburg County:
- 1437 Amelia Street Orangeburg, SC 29115