Here’s where to dispose of Christmas trees in Eastern Iowa

Christmas is over and the new year has started. Eastern Iowans looking to get rid of their real Christmas tree have several options, depending on where they live.

Cedar Rapids

In Cedar Rapids, it’s important to distinguish whether a tree is live, flocked (coated in a white, powdery substance), or artificial.

If your tree is live and unflocked, it can be disposed of at curbside, or taken to a drop-off location. First, all tinsel, ornaments, decorations, wires, stands, watering packets, tree wrap and netting must be removed. The tree should not be placed in a bag.

Curbside disposal of live, unflocked trees runs through Friday, Jan. 16. Place your whole tree at the curb, at least three feet from garbage and recycling collection carts. The tree may be placed in a YARDY, but the lid must close.

Flocked trees, wreaths and garland cannot be recycled or collected with live trees.

Trees can be dropped off at Prairie Park Fishery, 2125 Otis Rd. SE, daily between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Please place the tree in the drop-off area. The trees will be used as fish habitat.

Flocked trees are considered garbage. They must be cut into three-foot sections and each section must have a garbage sticker affixed to it before being set out for pickup.

Artificial trees also are considered garbage. They can be set out in three-foot sections and each section must have a garbage sticker affixed. Pickup of artificial trees also can be arranged by calling the Solid Waste & Recycling Office at (319) 286-5897. The cost of the collection will be added to the resident’s utility bill.

Find more information about tree disposal at bit.ly/CRTreeDisposal.

Coralville

Christmas trees, wreaths and swags will be picked up curbside in Coralville at no charge throughout the month of January. Trees and greenery will be shredded for mulch.

The items must be unflocked and free of bags, lights, decoration, stands, wire, tinsel and other non-organic materials.

Trees larger than six feet tall should be cut into sections.

Pickup of holiday greenery may not occur on residents’ regular garbage day. For more information, contact the City of Coralville at (319) 248-1740.

Iowa City

Residents in Iowa City who have curbside service can place natural, unflocked Christmas trees at the curb for collection at 7 a.m. on their normal pickup day. All decorations must be removed from the tree and the tree should not be placed in a bag. For more information, visit www.icgov.org/curbside.

Johnson County residents who do not have curbside composting can take natural, unflocked trees to the Iowa City Landfill’s Compost Facility. There is a $5 minimum fee to compost loads weighing less than 400 pounds. The landfill is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m.-noon.

Artificial holiday trees can be reused or donated to a local secondhand store if they are still usable. If artificial trees are past their use, they are considered trash. Iowa City curbside customers can schedule a bulky item pickup to have them collected at the curb, or Johnson County residents can transport them directly to the landfill to be disposed of. For more information about the landfill, visit www.icgov.org/landfill.

Marion

Curbside collection of real Christmas trees in Marion will be available through Friday, Jan. 16. The service is available to households regardless of whether they subscribe to curbside yard waste service. Trees, free of stands and decorations, should be placed at the curb on the normal collection day. Flocked trees or those in bags will not be collected.

North Liberty

For residents of North Liberty, Johnson County Refuse/LRS will collect discarded live Christmas trees on their normal collection day on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and Wednesday, Jan. 14. A second pickup is scheduled for customers’ normal collection days on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Decorations must be removed from the trees, and the trees must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. The trees should not be in a bag or container. This service is free of charge for residential customers.

Additionally, residents can take trees to the Iowa City Landfill’s Compost Facility to be composted for $5. The landfill is open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.