Santa has come and gone, and 2020 is here! So, the time has come to start thinking about taking down those Christmas trees.
If you have an artificial tree, break out those boxes to store them until next year. Yet, if you have a real tree, this isn’t possible.
Fortunately, most Phoenix-area cities have programs to make recycling those trees a breeze.
Many cities will haul them away on regularly scheduled bulk trash pickup days.
But what happens if you miss that day, your area doesn’t offer the service, or you’d rather not wait for it?
Worry not. There are plenty of locations across the Valley, most of which opened Thursday, where you can responsibly and conveniently dispose of your tree once you’ve removed all lights, toppers, ornaments and decorations:
Apache Junction: Trees can be taken to the Paws & Claws Care Center at 725 E. Baseline Ave. or Prospector Park at 3015 N. Idaho Road 24 hours a day through Feb. 3.
Avondale: Trees can be dropped off at A to Z Equipment Rentals and Sales at 803 E. Van Buren Street through Jan. 8th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Buckeye: The city’s fire stations will accept trees Jan. 4 and Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Chandler: Trees will be picked up on regular curbside recycling collection days through Jan. 17. There also are 11 drop-off locations located throughout the city. Live potted trees can be donated for replanting at city parks by dropping them off at the Chandler Community Center (125 E. Commonwealth Ave.) or calling 480-782-2745 to schedule a pickup.
El Mirage: Leave trees out for curbside pickup on Jan. 6 by 5:30 a.m. or drop them off Jan. 6-10 at the El Mirage Public Works facility at 10355 N. 121st Ave.
Gilbert: Trees can be dropped off at three locations: Hetchler Park (Gilbert Soccer Complex) at 4260 S. Greenfield Road from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 12; Nichols Park at 700 N. Higley Road from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 12; and A to Z Rentals at 1313 E. Baseline Road from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 29 and Jan. 1).
Glendale: The city has seven drop-off locations to accept trees through Jan. 9.
Litchfield Park: Residents can drop off trees Jan. 4 in the parking lot west of City Hall. Call 623-935-5033 for details.
Mesa: The city has five drop-off locations open 24 hours through Jan. 19. Residents can also schedule curbside pickup for a fee of $23.04 or take trees to the Salt River Landfill at Gilbert Road and Beeline Highway from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of January (no Sundays).
Peoria: Trees dropped off through Jan. 3 at one of the city’s seven drop-off stations will be taken to a local farmer for composting.
Phoenix: The city has numerous drop-off locations that will accept trees through Jan. 5. Call 602-262-6251 for more information.
Queen Creek: Trees will be accepted during recycling events Jan. 4 and Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. to noon at 19715 S. 220th Street, north of the Barney Family Sports Complex.
Scottsdale: Trees can be deposited in yellow collection bins at Eldorado, Scottsdale Ranch and Thompson Peak parks from Jan. 4 through Jan. 12.
Surprise: Four drop-off sites will accept trees through Jan. 9.
Tempe: Trees will be accepted through Jan. 31 at the city compost yard on Rio Road (Hardy Drive and Rio Salado Parkway) and the west side of Kiwanis Park Recreation Center at 6111 W. All-America Way.
