The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) collects Christmas trees in Absecon, Ventnor, Northfield, Linwood, Buena Vista Township and Hamilton Township on specified dates for yard waste in January.
Christmas trees should be placed at the curb on the day of yard waste collection, which is either Saturday or Monday depending on which zone you live in. You can confirm your zone by downloading the Yard Waste Collection Zone PDF from ACUA.
Some tips:
- Trees should be free of lights and decorations, including tinsel
- Trees do not have to be bagged
- Flocked trees are acceptable for collection and composting
- For more information on Christmas tree recycling please visit: www.earth911.com
In other Christmas tree news, an article in the Press of A.C. has determined that fresh cut “real” trees are more eco-friendly than artificial trees.
Often made of PVC - “the worst of the worst when it comes to plastics,” - fake trees, while reusable, have no green method for disposal. Also a factor is the cost of shipping a tree, real or fake. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 85 percent of fake trees are made in China.
…A real tree is a renewable resource. For every tree that’s cut, three are planted. When a tree is young it gives off the most oxygen. We give an ecological benefit and they’re a good habitat for wildlife.