SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Now that the presents have been opened, the cookies baked and eaten, and the family traditions enjoyed (or overcome), the tinsel must come down and the ornaments stowed another year.
To properly dispose of your bare tree — all lights, garland, ornaments and other adornments must be removed — multiple places in the tri-county region are offering help.
Below is a rundown of what’s open and when; please, note the locations only accept live trees, not artificial ones.
New Hanover County
The county’s recycling and solid waste department has partnered with Wilmington Home Depot stores to provide free Christmas tree recycling. It begins Dec. 26 and takes place through Jan. 31.
“This program helps make sure that real Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands can be recycled into mulch and composted to be used in New Hanover County parks, gardens and grounds,” director Joe Suleyman said. “It’s a great way for our community to help reduce waste in our landfill and keep our environment clean.”
Stores at 5511 Carolina Beach Road and 210 Eastwood Road will accept the trees. They also can be dropped off at the New Hanover County Landfill, 5210 US Highway 421 North.
Aside from real trees and wreaths, items like gift wrap, paper or cardboard boxes, holiday cards, old gadgets and electronics can be recycled at the county’s main recycling processing facility (3002 Highway 421 North), drop-off sites or through the Mobile Hazwagon.
Pender County
All trees will be accepted at the Rocky Point and Hampstead Convenience Centers, open three weeks after the Christmas holiday. It will stop taking trees on Jan. 16.
The Rocky Point Convenience Center — 16232 NC Hwy 210 — opens Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s closed Sundays and Wednesdays.
The Hampstead Convenience Center — 250 Transfer Station Rd. — opens Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 7 p.m.
Brunswick County
There are a few ways to recycle the tree this season in Brunswick, including dropping them off at the county’s landfill for free, Jan. 2 through Jan. After, there will be tipping fees.
Trees will also be accepted at the convenience centers for $5 a tree, Jan. 2-31. Centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and are located at:
- 746 Seaside Road SW, Sunset Beach — (910) 579-9932
- 9921 Chappell Loop Road SE, Leland — (910) 371-9471
- 1709 Oxpen Road SW, Supply — (910) 842-9523
- 8392 River Road SE, Southport — (910) 457-9484
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