Now that Christmas is over, it's time to think about how to dispose of your holiday decorations.
Dry Christmas trees can quickly become a fire hazard. Dry trees can be a major source of fuel in a fire. A dry tree can even burn faster than newspaper, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says.
Many locations in the D.C. area are encouraging residents to recycle their Christmas trees and greenery once the holidays are over. All trees must be bare -- meaning no tinsel, ornaments or lights left behind -- before they can be recycled.
Here's how you can recycle your tree this season:
In Washington, D.C.: For three weeks, Christmas trees and greenery will be collected, composted and made available to residents for free. All you have to do is set your tree on the curb on a recycling day between Jan. 14 and Feb. 2. Trees collected after Feb. 2 will be collected with the trash.
In Montgomery County: If you live in a home or townhouse, put your tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on your usual recycling collection day. Residents of apartments or condominiums should check with their property manager or representative for specific recycling instructions.
The county says residents can also recycle branches and needles at home by composting them or placing them under trees as a temporary winter mulch.
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In Prince George's County: Christmas trees will be collected along with other yard waste on Mondays.
In Anne Arundel County: Christmas trees will be collected on your regular recycling day. Trees should be free of decor, and larger trees should be cut in half.
Yard waste is not accepted in pastic bags.
In Arlington County: Christmas trees will be collected during the first two weeks of January in Arlington County. Trees must be placed on the curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regular trash collection day. Trees collected intact will later be turned into mulch that will be available at county facilities.
In Fairfax County: According to the county's website, licensed collectors are required by code to collect and recycle Christmas trees of less than 8 feet that have been set out separately at single family and townhouse communities for the first two weeks in January.
In Prince William County: Trees can be dropped off at the following locations to be recycled:
- The Prince William County Landfill (14811 Dumfries Road in Manassas)
- The Balls Ford Road Compost Facility (13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas)
- Leesylvania State Park (2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive in Woodbridge)
- Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) (5399 Wellington Branch Road in Gainesville)
- Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Dropoff Center
21101 Evergreen Mills Road
Leesburg, 20175 - Claude Moore Park
46150 Loudoun Park Lane
Sterling, 20164 - Game Protective Association
16 South Berlin Pike
Lovettsville, 20180 - Town Hall (rear parking lot next to tennis court)
43055 Center Street
South Riding, 20152 - Franklin Park
17501 Franklin Park Dr.
Purcellville, 20132