Recycle That Tree
Where to recycle your Christmas tree for free in Austin
The new year means in with the new and out with the old — the old Christmas tree, that is. The City of Austin will help you recycle your tree (for free!) and give it new life in the form of Dillo Dirt, the city's own special blend compost made from residents' yard trimmings.
"Trees collected will be turned into mulch and will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis to Austin residents starting Wednesday, January 21," states the City's information webpage.
The easiest way to get rid of your tree is to leave it on your curb by 6:30 am on your neighborhood's designated yard trimmings collection day (tip: trimmings are collected curbside every week on the same day as your trash collection). The tree must be completely decoration-free and any larger than six feet be cut in half.
If your area isn't serviced by the city or you have the transportation means, you can also drop your tree off at 2304 Rollingwood Drive (west of MoPac near Zilker Park) on the first and second weekends of January. Stop by any time between 10 am and 2 pm on January 3-4 or January 10-11 and the city will gladly take the holiday leftover off your hands.
Other places that will recycle your tree for free include Organics By Gosh, Walker Aero Environmental LLC (JV Dirt + Loam), Whittlesey Landscape Supplies in Round Rock and Texas Disposal Systems' Bee Caves and Creedmoor locations. You can visit each establishment's individual website for the address or take a look at the City of Austin website for more information.