When life gives you naturally-grown Christmas trees, make mulch! That’s what most Hampton Roads municipalities do with live trees that are placed curbside or dropped off at specified collection areas for recycling over the next few weeks. And that’s a good thing, according to askHRgreen.org.
“It’s a nice way to extend the life of your Christmas tree,” said Julia B. Hillegass, public information and community affairs administrator for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, which spearheads askHRgreen.org. “The trees are collected and chipped into mulch that is then used to spruce up city and county median areas and plantings.”
Beginning the week of Dec. 26, residents from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach, and Smithfield to Norfolk, may take advantage of this seasonal recycling program. Trees should be free of any ornaments, tinsel or stands. As of this date, the following cities and counties have posted their schedules.
Chesapeake | Hampton | Isle of Wight | James City County | Newport News | Norfolk | Poquoson | Portsmouth | Smithfield | Suffolk | Virginia Beach | Williamsburg | York County
Chesapeake
When: Dec. 27–Jan. 13
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel and the stand. Place it separately from bulk waste and regular trash so it can be easily collected. Please do not put in a bag or put netting around it.
Where: Trees will be picked up on the regular trash collection day. Trees picked up after Jan. 3 will be recycled.
Hampton
When: Dec. 26–Jan. 17
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, and the stand. Place it separately from bulk waste and regular trash so it can be easily collected. Please do not put in a bag or put netting around it. Visit the city of Hampton website for even more information about recycling your Christmas tree.
Where: Trees will be picked up at curbside on regular trash collection day. Apartment and condominium residents can bring naturally grown trees to be recycled at one of eight collection sites throughout the City:
• Andrews School, 3120 Victoria Boulevard
• Bethel High School, 1067 Big Bethel Road
• Davis Middle School, 1435 Todds Lane
• Eaton Middle School, 2108 Cunningham Drive
• Jones Magnet Middle School, 1819 Nickerson Boulevard
• Lindsay Middle School, 1636 Briarfield Road
• Spratley Gifted Center, 339 Woodland Road
• Syms Middle School, 170 Fox Hill Road
Isle of Wight
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel and the stand.
Where: Natural Christmas trees can be recycled at one of Isle of Wight’s eight convenience centers:
• Camptown Convenience Center
34010 Carver Road, Franklin | Phone: (757) 516-2850
Open Sunday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
• Carroll Bridge Convenience Center
17634 Carroll Bridge Road, Windsor | Phone: (757) 356-1018
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Crocker’s Convenience Center
9421 Whispering Pines Trail, Windsor | Phone: (757) 356-1026
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Walters Convenience Center
3403 Burdette Road, Carrsville | Phone: (757) 516-2852
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Carrsville Convenience Center
6135 Carrsville Highway, Carrsville | Phone: (757) 516-2851
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Jones Creek Convenience Center
21203 Boundary Road, Carrollton | Phone: (757) 356-1037
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Stave Mill Convenience Center
23254 Stave Mill Road, Windsor | Phone: (757) 242-3597
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wrenn’s Mill Convenience Center
8196 Old Stage Highway, Smithfield| Phone: (757) 356-1040
Open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
James City County
When: Dec. 26–Jan. 31
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, and the stand.
Where: James City County’s three convenience centers:
• Jolly Pond Road
1204 Jolly Pond Road
Open every day 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tewning Road
107 Tewning Road
Sunday – Closed
Monday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Toano
185 Industrial Boulevard (Hankins Industrial Park)
Open every day 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Newport News
When: Ongoing
What to know: Please remove all non-natural decorations, including tinsel, and place tree in a brush pile separate from any bulk being set out. Christmas trees (live or artificial) may also be brought to the Denbigh Compost and Drop-off Facility. Directions for their disposal will be provided upon delivery to the Drop-off Facility. For more information go to: https://www.nngov.com/public-works/sw/front-page
Where: Natural trees are recyclable as regular brush, and may be placed on the curb as brush collection.
Norfolk
When: Dec. 26-Jan. 14
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the stand. Find out more about Christmas tree and electronics recycling in Norfolk.
Where: Trees will be picked up at curbside to be recycled on regular trash collection day as part of yard waste collection. Residents who do not receive curbside pickup can bring natural trees to the Division of Waste Management:
• Division of Waste Management
1176 Pineridge Road
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Closed Sundays
Poquoson
When: Dec. 26–Jan. 14
What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the stand.
Where: Residents can bring natural trees to be recycled at the Municipal Pool Parking Lot or the VPPSA Compost Facility (locations listed below).
• Municipal Pool Parking Lot
16 Municipal Drive, Poquoson
• VPPSA Compost Facility
145 Goodwin Neck Road, York County
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Portsmouth
When: Ongoing
Where: Residents can place their tree out for curbside pickup.
Smithfield
When: Now–Jan. 19 (pickup will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
What to know: Contact Meredith Marchant at 365-4200 or [email protected] and provide your address if you have a Christmas tree to be picked up.
Suffolk
When: Natural Christmas trees are picked up the week of Dec. 26.
Virginia Beach
When: Normal trash collection day
What to know: Make sure that the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.
Where: Curbside, or the City Landfill at 1989 Jake Sears Road with proof of residency.
Williamsburg
When: Jan. 2–9
What to know: Make sure that the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.
Where: Natural trees will be picked up at curbside for recycling, or they can be brought to the VPPSA Compost Facility:
• VPPSA Compost Facility
145 Goodwin Neck Road, York County
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays
York County
When: Jan. 2–13
What to know: Trees should be placed roadside by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of each week, free of all lights and decorations.
Where: Natural trees will be picked up at curbside for recycling, or they can be brought to the VPPSA Compost Facility (location listed below).
• VPPSA Compost Facility
145 Goodwin Neck Road, York County
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays