Area recycle centers urge residents dispose trees safely, no charge

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)-Repurpose your tree and give it a new life at no charge.

Local recycling centers urge residents take their Christmas trees at any area recycling center, the trees can then be turned to useful mulch or compost.

Community locations advise residents prepare their Christmas tree – to allow for easy processing.

All decorations – including ornaments, hooks, garland, tinsel and lights must be removed prior to drop off.

That sprayed on artificial snow that looks so pretty on the indoor spruce – unfortunately, cannot be recycled.

Executive Director of Humboldt Waste Management Authority Jill Duffy says, evergreens are biodegradable but need to be broken down to help the decomposing process.

“We encourage that people don’t just drop off their trees in either forest properties or out in open space, because the trees will compost better if they’re chipped and shredded,” she said. “You can come out to Hawthorne Street and they’ll be a blue bin available so that people can drop off trees and there are no charges for that.”

There are several locations in the area for that full list can be found below.

Free Drop-Off & Recycling Locations

Arcata

Wes Green Landscaping  

6360 West End Road, Arcata

Dec. 28th – Jan. 16th

Contact: (707) 822-8035

Blue Lake

Clemance Field/Perigot Park

312 S. Railroad, Blue Lake

Jan. 2nd -Jan. 14th

(707) 668-5932

Eureka

HWMA’s Hawthorne Street Transfer Station

1059 West Hawthorne Street, Eureka

Dec. 26th -Jan. 10th

(707) 268-8680

Ferndale

Ferndale’s Fireman Park & Ferndale Fairgrounds

100 Berding Street, Ferndale

Dec. 31st – Jan 4th

(707) 786-4224

1250 5th Street, Ferndale

McKinleyville

Humboldt Sanitation Transfer Station

2585 Central Avenue, McKinleyville

Dec. 26-Jan. 24th

(707) 839-3285