Here’s Where Duluth Area Residents Can Recycle Christmas Trees

Another Christmas had come and gone and while everyone hopefully remains in the Christmas spirit for a long time to come, it will eventually be time to take down those real trees.

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is encouraging everyone to utilize its Treecycling program and recycle their fresh-cut holiday trees. This free holiday tree recycling program has already begun, with multiple locations now available 24 hours a day throughout the Northland.

“Holiday trees, like yard and garden waste, are banned from the trash in Minnesota,” said AJ Axtell, WLSSD’s Director of Community Relations.  “Trees contain valuable resources that can be reclaimed through Treecycling. Collected trees will be beneficially re-used as fuel, as mulch to line paths, or for other purposes, while recovering resources and saving landfill space.”

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WLSSD notes this season’s Treecycling program offers a variety of convenient tree recycling sites and they're all open for extended periods, making it convenient for people throughout the Northland.

Six sites are open for tree drop-off now through January 10th:

• Chester Bowl (parking lot by the playground)
• Lester Park (parking lot by the playground)
• Duluth Heights Community Club (parking lot across the street)
• Woodland Community Club (lower parking lot off Woodland Ave)
• Rose Garden (parking lot)
• City of Duluth West Toolhouse (on Commonwealth Avenue)

Three sites are open through January 31st:

• VONCO V Landfill (in the Gary neighborhood, starting December 27th)
• WLSSD Yard Waste Compost Site (off 27th Avenue West)
• WLSSD Materials Recovery Center (off Rice Lake Road)

Two sites in Carlton County are open through January 16th:

• SAPPI Fine Paper (Cloquet, gatehouse entrance)
• Moose Lake Compost Site (across from the City garage)

WLSSD also reminds those who are recycling fresh-cut trees to remove all ornaments and tree stands before bringing trees to a Treecycling location.  Wreaths, garland and other evergreen decorations with wires are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash. Holiday light strings can be recycled year-round at WLSSD’s Materials Recovery Center.

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