Christmas tree recycling (treecycling) in Marion County, Indiana is open now through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works offers this FREE drop-off service from dawn until dusk at locations throughout the city.
Tree stands and all lights and decorations must be removed before dropping off. Because the collected trees are mulched, trees sprayed with fake snow should not taken to these sites.
In Indianapolis, dumping of Christmas trees at unapproved locations is illegal. If you cannot make it to a drop off site, there are other creative ways to properly dispose of your tree and keep the waste out of our ecosystems and drinking water.
- Decorate your flower beds or walkways. Cut the trunk into slices and use them to as edging.
- Use needles to cover your garden bed. Pine needles can act as mulch and ground cover throughout the winter.
- Create a home from your fish. If you own a pond or other body of water, submerge your Christmas tree in the water (all decorations removed!) to provide shelter and nutrients for fish. The tree will decompose and attract algae for the fish.
- Decorate coasters. Cut the trunk into slices and use markers and a sealer to decorate them as drink coasters.
- Help out your indoor plants. Remove needles from small branches and use the twigs to support indoor potted plants or stake leggy seedlings.
- Create a bird feeding station. Stand your tree upright outside and hang homemade suet, orange slices, popcorn strings, or peanut butter feeders. The tree will be an extra source of cover for the birds and within a year or so will become brittle and can be mostly broken apart by hand.
- Keep rooms smelling fresh. Fill up a potpourri sachet or bag and leave it out to extend your holiday scent through the winter months.
For location details and more about recycling your Christmas tree in Indianapolis, visit the Department of Public Works website – https://www.indy.gov/activity/christmas-tree-disposal.
