Christmas Tree Recycling & Disposal

Christmas Tree Recycling

Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) is accepting Christmas trees for composting free of charge this holiday season. TDS has been helping communities across Central Texas recycle their unflocked Christmas trees and organic holiday decorations in the greenest way possible for more than a decade.

Beginning on Thursday, December 26, residents can drop off their unflocked Christmas trees, holly, pumpkins, and other living decorations at TDS’ Christmas tree collection sites noted below. These living decorations are repurposed and made into organic mulch and compost through the Texas Disposal Systems composting operation. The finished products are available for purchase at Garden-Ville stores throughout Central Texas.

Trees and decorations must be free of flocking, lights, ornaments, metal, and other non-living contaminants. A $55 contamination fee will be assessed for trees and decorations that have not been cleaned. When bringing loads for drop-off, please ensure that materials are properly tied and secured to your vehicle, per Texas law.

Christmas Tree Recycling with Texas Disposal Systems

Where can Christmas trees be dropped off for recycling?

Christmas trees can be dropped off at any one of six TDS locations throughout the Central Texas region. The most convenient location for Austin Christmas tree recycling is the TDS Landfill. The locations are as follows:

TDS Landfill
Mon-Sat 7 a.m. – Sunset / Sun Closed
3016 FM 1327 Creedmoor, TX 78610
(512) 421-1363

TDS & Garden-Ville Bee Cave
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Sat 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. / Sun Closed
4001 RR 620 S. Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 219-5311

TDS & Garden-Ville Georgetown
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Sat 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. / Sun Closed
250 W.L. Walden Dr., Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 930-8282

Garden-Ville Evans Rd. San Antonio
Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Sat Closed  / Sun Closed
7561 E. Evans Rd. San Antonio, TX 78266
(210) 651-6115

Garden-Ville SARA San Antonio
Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Sat Closed / Sun Closed
1280 FM 1516 #2, Converse, TX 78109
(210) 483-1951

Garden-Ville Victoria
Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Sat Closed / Sun Closed
18125 FM 1686, Victoria, TX 77905
(361) 897-1500

When can Christmas trees be dropped off for recycling?

TDS is accepting trees and living greenery between December 26, 2024 – January 31, 2025*. Normal hours apply.

* All sites that are accepting trees (listed above) will be open December 26-January 31, with the exception of January 1 when they will be closed. All Garden-Ville locations will have limited hours on December 30.  Aside from these exceptions, normal hours apply.

How should I prepare my Christmas tree for recycling?

In order to be recycled, Christmas trees must be cleaned of all holiday decorations and flocking. A $55 contamination fee will be assessed for trees and decorations that have not been cleaned.

Before bringing your Christmas tree to our landfill or one of the designated Garden-Ville locations, please make sure that you remove:

  • All lights
  • All ornaments, including tree toppers  
  • All flocking and other types of artificial snow 
  • All tinsel
  • Tree stands and other metal supporting structures 

Please avoid placing your trees inside a plastic bag. We recommend wrapping them in a tarp or blanket. You may consider cutting trees in half that are taller than 6 feet, for easier transportation. 

When bringing loads for drop off, it is important to ensure the material is properly tied and secured to your vehicle, per Texas law.

Can other organic holiday items be dropped off for composting besides Christmas trees?

Yes. TDS will accept clean, unflocked, Christmas trees and ornament-free organic decorations such as holly, pumpkins, poinsettias, wreaths, garland and other living decorations for composting.

Is there a fee for dropping off Christmas trees?

No, this service is free.

Please note: Unflocked Christmas trees and decorations must be free of lights, ornaments, metal, and other non-living contaminants. A $55 contamination fee will be assessed for trees and decorations that have not been cleaned. When bringing loads for drop off, make sure the material is tied and secured, per Texas law.

If I’m a TDS customer and unable to drop off my live, unflocked Christmas tree for recycling, does TDS offer curbside pick-up?

For cities with TDS Green Waste service, TDS offers curbside pickup of unflocked Christmas trees for recycling from the dates of Dec. 26, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025. Specific details are as follows:

San Marcos/Kyle: Unflocked Christmas trees will be picked up curbside on regularly scheduled green waste pickup days. Trees must be clear of decor, cut into 4 foot pieces or less and must either fit in your green waste cart (lid closed) or can be placed at the curb. They will be brought to a collection station and ground into mulch.

Sunset Valley/Buda: Unflocked Christmas trees will be picked up curbside on regularly scheduled green waste pickup days. Trees must be clear of decor, cut into 4 foot pieces or less and set outside at the curb. They will be brought to a collection station and ground into mulch.

Georgetown: Unflocked Christmas trees that are clear of decor will be picked up curbside on regularly scheduled yard trimmings pickup day. Trees 7 feet in length or less can be placed at the curb uncut. Longer trees should be cut into 4 foot pieces or less. All curbside-collected yard trimmings are brought to the City’s Collection Station and ground into mulch.

For Georgetown city residents, yard trimmings collection day is on the first recycling day of the month. Click here for specific service schedule information.

For specific questions regarding your area’s service, contact 1 (800) 375-8375.

Can artificial Christmas trees be composted?

No. Only real unflocked Christmas trees and other live/organic materials can be composted.

How can I dispose of my artificial Christmas trees?

TDS customers who need to dispose of their artificial trees may schedule a bulky pickup by calling 1 (800) 375-8375. Additional fees may apply.

What is Christmas tree flocking?

Flocking is the tiny, white, fibrous materials sprayed on Christmas trees to give the impression of snow. While it is not possible to compost Christmas trees with flocking, most flocking can be removed.

TDS always assesses trees upon drop-off. A $55 contamination fee will be applied to trees and decorations that have not been properly prepared for drop-off.

The Importance of Recycling Christmas Trees

Between 25 and 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States every year. Recycling your Christmas tree lessens the environmental impact of Christmas tree harvesting and gives your tree a life beyond the holiday season. 

Through the Texas Disposal Systems composting operation, your unflocked Christmas trees and other ornament-free living decorations will be repurposed and made into organic mulch and compost. The finished compost and mulch will be available for purchase at Garden-Ville stores throughout Central Texas. 

Watch KXAN’s Christmas Tree Disposal news video to learn more about this process.

 

This Holiday Season, Discover Texas Disposal Systems

At Texas Disposal Systems, we strive to provide the highest quality waste processing service possible while keeping the interests of customers and the environment at heart. We offer residential curbside solutions, business waste processing and collection solutions, and a variety of waste processing solutions (including landfill, recycling, composting, etc.), among many other services.  

TDS is also more than just a waste service provider. We proudly partner with events, businesses, and communities across Central Texas. Learn more about what we do below:

Thank you for recycling your Christmas tree with TDS!