Homegrown: Recycling Trees

Real Christmas trees can be more environmentally friendly than artificial ones, which can't be recycled and don't readily decompose.

For those of you planning to dispose of your real tree, the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids will accept trees - with tinsel and other decorations removed - at the Sac and Fox Trailhead parking lot on Bertram Road SE through the end of January. Do not leave trees in the Nature Center parking lot.

The trees are chipped to spread on walking trails. Flocked trees are not accepted.

Trees and garland, with no wires or other decorations, will be picked up from Iowa City curbside customers from January 7 to January 25 for composting at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center. The landfill accepts yard waste year-round, including Christmas trees.

Linn County residents can drop off their trees at either Solid Waste Agency site, 1954 County Home Road, Marion, or 2250 A St. SW, Cedar Rapids, for a $5 fee. Hours:   7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday at 1954 County Home Road, Marion; 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Friday at 2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids (Winter hours at 2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids, go through March 31, 2013)

Cedar Rapids offers curbside pickup as part of its yard waste program. Residents should remove all decorations and cut the tree into 3-foot sections. Trees also can be placed in Yardy carts, as long as the lid closes.

Flocked Trees are considered a garbage item. Cedar Rapids residents should cut flocked trees into 3-foot sections and place with normal garbage. A $1.50 garbage sticker is needed on each 3 foot section of tree.

Here is the schedule for other cities:

- City of Marion: free curbside pickup from Dec. 26 – Jan. 11; tree must be free of decorations, no stands, and not flocked

- City of Mount Vernon:  City offers curbside pick-up through January

- City of Bertram: contact hauler

- City of Ely:  Residents can dispose of Christmas tree at the Ely Public Works area, 1124 Vista Rd., Dec. 26

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– Jan. 18th for free.  Trees must be cleared of all decorations except for flocking.  For further details or directions to the drop-off site, call City Hall 848-4103.  Waste Management will not pick up Christmas trees curbside

- City of Fairfax:  Johnson County Refuse will pick up Christmas trees on Jan. 07; have them out by 7:00 a.m.; tree must be free of decorations, no stands, and not flocked. Flocked trees can be put out with regular garbage

- City of Hiawatha:  contact hauler

- City of Lisbon:  Johnson County Refuse will pick up Christmas trees on Jan. 07; have them out by 7:00 a.m.; tree must be free of decorations, no stands, and not flocked. Flocked trees can be put out with regular garbage

- City of Walker: contact hauler

- City of Central City:  Residents can take Christmas trees to the yard waste pile near the sewer plant on 8

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Street South and leave there for free

- City of Coggon:  Leave out for collection by Rudd with three tags if under six foot; if over six foot, cut in half, and add three additional tags; or take to Solid Waste Agency for $5

- Alburnett, Center Point, Palo, Prarieburg, Robins, and Springville residents should contact Rudd Sanitation or their city clerk to find out what days they are picking up Christmas trees.  Rudd recycles them through the Indian Creek Nature Center.  Rudd can be reached at 319-438-6563