Residents of Hillsborough County are urged to follow specific guidelines for the proper disposal of live Christmas trees, as officials aim to protect the environment during the holiday cleanup.
As the holiday season wraps up and presents vanish from their spots under the Christmas tree, solid waste teams in Hillsborough County are guiding residents on the correct methods to dispose of their live trees effectively. Many families retain their Christmas decorations until after New Year’s Day, but it’s crucial to discard trees timely when needles begin to brown and fall off, according to Stephanie Watson, the county’s section manager of sustainable materials management.
Residents must adhere to a checklist before placing their trees at the curb for collection. Trees should be sliced into four-foot sections, stripped of all lights and decorations, including popcorn and tinsel, to facilitate proper pickup and processing. Complete guidelines are available through Hillsborough County’s official channels.
Pinellas and Hillsborough counties have a system that converts these bare Christmas trees into mulch, using specialized equipment known as a top grinder. This process functions like a large-scale food processor, effectively grinding yard waste and trees into reusable mulch, as described by Ashley Wyland, an environmental outreach specialist from Pinellas County Solid Waste.
Proper disposal is vital in Hillsborough County, where landfill capacities are strained. Transforming trees into mulch not only alleviates landfill pressure but also provides residents with useful materials for gardening and landscaping. Mulch obtained from trees can enrich plant soil and improve home gardens, offering a sustainable alternative to disposal in landfills.
Residents lacking curbside pickup options can take advantage of free drop-off services available on regular yard waste collection days. Alternatively, residents can consult municipal websites or use search tools to ascertain specific instructions relevant to their locality. Urban centers and county operations have started collecting live Christmas trees through the start of the new year.
By following local disposal guidelines, residents contribute significantly to environmental conservation and efficient waste management, turning holiday cleanup into an opportunity for sustainable practice.
Source: Fox13news
