How to dispose of your Christmas tree in Northeast Florida

Jacksonville, FL — As you start to bring down those holiday decorations, disposing of your Christmas tree can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some general rules for disposal across the First Coast.

In Jacksonville, if you already have curbside recycling and yard waste collection, you can put your tree out on your normally scheduled day. The tree should not be bagged, and should be stripped of all ornaments, decorations, and tree stand. If you do not have curbside service- like if you live in an apartment- you can bring your tree to the Old Kings Road Landfill on Old Kings Road or First Coast Mulch on Camden Road. Your individual complex may also make alternate disposal plans.

The City says illegal dumping of trees is traditionally a big problem, so they’re asking you to safely and legally dispose of your trees.

Because there was no collection on Christmas Day, services through this week are pushed back one day. Solid waste collection on New Year’s Day will run as scheduled.

Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach both say apartment, condo, and commercial customers who don’t have curbside service should make arrangements through Advanced Disposal about proper disposal. They also add that artificial trees are considered bulky items, and should therefore be put curbside on bulk collection days, as opposed to yard waste days.

In St. Johns County, you can “Tree-cycle” your tree in four locations in the new year. This program is for real trees that have been stripped of all decorations, and does not allow for artificial trees.

Separate from Christmas trees, St. Johns County is also asking you to recycle your used cooking oil, holiday lights, batteries, and electronic devices. You can stop by Francis Field at 25 West Castillo Drive or behind the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation office on West 16th Street on Friday January 4th from 7:30AM through 2:30PM.

Cooking oil should be cooled and stored in a sealed container that you will not get back. If you donate any of these items, you will get free funnels that the County says can be used for future recycling efforts.

WOKV is working to gather more information on other local collection operations, and this story will be updated as that information becomes available.

In Clay County, There was no curbside collection on Christmas Day and will not be on New Year’s Day, so collection services are delayed one day. They’re asking you to have waste out by 6AM in order to ensure your collection doesn’t get missed, as the schedules change.

The Town of Orange Park says real trees should go out with yard waste, and artificial trees should be put out with regular trash.

And if you want to keep the cheer going by not simply getting your tree in to the trash, there are several local organizations that are asking for donations.