By Julia Hillegass,
Public Information & Community Affairs Administrator

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, try making it a GREEN Christmas instead by recycling your natural Christmas tree.  Most localities offer free curbside pick-up for a limited time after Christmas.  The trees are collected and chipped into mulch that is typically used around municipal plantings.  Remember, trees must be free of all lights, ornaments and decorations prior to being placed at the curb.  Check the list below for more information:

Chesapeake:  Curbside collection with other yard waste beginning December 28th.

Hampton:  Curbside Christmas tree pick up from households receiving city garbage collection will occur on the normal collection days.  Residents who do not have city garbage collection can take live-cut trees to any school and place them at a designated area at the front of the school. The deadline for this collection is January 17th.

James City County:  Residents in James City County can drop off your Christmas tree, free of charge, Dec. 26 – Jan. 31 at any of the County Convenience Centers during normal operating hours. Be sure to remove the tree stand, tinsel and all decorations. For hours of operation visit the website or call 757-565-0971.

York County :  Curbside collection January 3-14; afterwards, residents must call for a special bulk collection.  All trees collected from the 3rd – 14th will be taken to the VPPSA compost facility for composting.  Trees can also be delivered to the VPPSA facility at any time. 

Newport News : Curbside collection on their normal schedule; beginning December 27th, trees may be brought to the Denbigh Compost Facility.

Norfolk :  Place trees on your curb along with your trash on your regular collection day during the weeks of December 28th-January 14th.  Trees may also be dropped off at the two recycling drop-off collection facilities, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Smithfield :  Curbside natural Christmas trees pick up from all town residents until January 14th. Please call Meredith Marchant at (757) 356-4200 or mmarchant@smithfieldva.gov and provide your address if you have a Christmas tree to be picked up.  Residents can take trees to a drop off site at one of the convenience centers located in Isle of Wight County. The trees are recycled.  

Suffolk:  Curbside natural Christmas tree pick up from December 26th – January 8th. This is not considered a special bulk pickup. After January 8th residents must call for a special pickup.

Williamsburg:  Curbside natural Christmas tree pick up January 3rd  & 10th . Trees are mulched for flower beds.