How to Recycle a Christmas Tree at Home Depot
You can recycle your Christmas tree at the Home Depot if you live in Georgia. The company sponsors the state's annual Christmas tree recycling program, "Bring One for the Chipper." After 20 years as of 2010, the Home Depot's partnership with the state has resulted in recycling 5.5 million Christmas trees into mulch for various government beautification projects, playgrounds, individual yards and wildlife habitats. On a designated date, Georgians can bring their old Christmas trees to one of more than 250 drop-off sites, including Home Depot facilities. To recycle your Christmas tree outside Georgia, consult Earth911's recycling directory.
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Instructions
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Note the "Bring One for the Chipper" date announced in your local newspaper or media, or in the letter you received from your local coordinator. Mark down the day on your calendar as a reminder. Call your local coordinator or visit the event's website to identify the participating Christmas tree recycling location nearest you.
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Remove all decorations, ornaments and tinsel from your tree up to a day before the scheduled event. If you placed a Christmas tree bag under your tree stand when you set it up, then remove your tree skirt, pull the bag up and over your Christmas tree and tie it at the top. Transfer your tree to your vehicle.
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Protect your vehicle from needle marks and tree sap with an old blanket, regardless of whether you put the tree in your trunk or on your roof. Use strong twine or rope to secure the tree to your vehicle's roof or trunk, and to keep the trunk closed. Attach a red flag to the end of the tree if it extends past your vehicle's bumper.
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Unload your tree at the designated drop-off location. If it is a Home Depot facility, drive to the area of the parking lot cordoned off for the event. You may be greeted by the Chipper and Recycling Ben mascots and find several chippers up and running at the collection site. In exchange for your tree, you also may receive tree seedlings or vegetable and flower seed packets as a thank you for participating in the event.
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Vacuum your vehicle's interior and check for tree sap on your vehicle's exterior when you get home. Purchase a tree sap remover at your nearest auto parts retailer and use it quickly to avoid damage to your vehicle's paint.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unable to participate in the "Bring One for the Chipper" event in Georgia, contact your local waste management authority for alternative drop-off locations or curbside pick-up instructions.
If you own a wood chipper, or have a neighbor willing to lend you his, recycle your Christmas tree for use in your own yard. The mulch will enhance the health and look of your flower beds and plantings.
Consider spearheading a Christmas tree recycling program yourself if there is none in your area. You may adapt Georgia's "Bring One for the Chipper" coordinator's kit, which is fairly well developed after 20 years, or refer to Earth911's "How to Start a Christmas Tree Recycling program" series.
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- Photo Credit christmas-tree image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
