Natural Christmas trees are beautiful decorations in our homes, and after the holidays, they can continue to beautify our communities as mulch in our public spaces. Over the next few weeks, Hampton Roads residents may contribute to this seasonal recycling program when they place their naturally-grown Christmas trees on the curb or drop the trees off at specified collection areas.

“Recycling your Christmas tree is a nice way to extend its life,” said Julia B. Hillegass, public information and community affairs administrator for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, which spearheads askHRgreen.org. “Most localities chip the trees into mulch that is then used to up spruce up plantings around the city or county.”

Trees should be free of any ornaments, tinsel or stands. As of this date, the following cities and counties have posted their schedules.

Chesapeake

When: Dec. 27–Jan. 5

Where: Trees will be picked up on the regular trash collection day. Trees picked up after Jan. 2 will be recycled.  If possible, please wait until January 3 to put your tree out for collection.

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.

Gloucester

When: Ongoing

Where: Residents may bring can bring naturally grown trees to be recycled at any Gloucester County convenience centers (listed below) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel and the stand.

• CC#1 6550 Beehive Drive
• CC#2 3603 Waste Management Way at MPLRF
• CC#3 7599 Guinea Road behind the VDOT Park & Ride
• CC#4 Gum Fork at 5122 Hickory Fork Road
• CC#5 Dutton at 10403 Burkes Pond Road

Hampton

When: Ongoing

Where: Trees will be picked up at curbside on regular trash collection day. Residents can also bring naturally grown trees to be recycled at the Yard Waste Transfer Site, 100 N. Park Lane (off Big Bethel Road at entrance to Bethel Landfill) Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed city holidays).

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, and the stand. Place natural trees separate from bulk waste and regular trash. Do not put in a bag or put netting around it. Artificial trees can be disposed of at curbside as part of the bulk waste. Artificial trees should not be placed with leaves, grass or tree branches.

Isle of Wight

When: Ongoing

Where: Natural Christmas trees can be recycled at one of Isle of Wight’s eight convenience centers (listed below).

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel and the stand.
• 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

Where: James City County’s three convenience centers (listed below).

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, and the stand.

• 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

Where: Natural trees are recyclable as regular brush, and may be placed on the curb as brush collection on area’s normal bulk waste collection day.

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

Norfolk

When: Ongoing

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 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (address below). For more information go to: https://www.norfolk.gov/PublicWorks/WM/Norfolk_Trash.asp

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights and the stand.

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
1176 Pineridge Road
Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Poquoson

When: Dec. 26–Jan. 11

Where: Residents can bring natural trees to be recycled at the Municipal Pool Parking Lot or the VPPSA Compost Facility (locations listed below).

What to know: Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and the stand.

• 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. 16 (pickup will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays)

What to know: Contact Alexandra Pearson at 365-4200 or [email protected] and provide your address if you have a Christmas tree to be picked up.

Suffolk

When: Dec. 26 – Jan 8

Where: Natural trees will be picked up at curbside for recycling on normal trash collection day.
What to know: Make sure that the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.

Virginia Beach

When: Normal trash collection day

Where: Curbside, or the City Landfill at 1989 Jake Sears Road with proof of residency.

What to know: Make sure the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.

Williamsburg

When: Jan. 7th and 14th

Where: Natural trees will be picked up at curbside for recycling, or they can be brought to the VPPSA Compost Facility (location listed below).

What to know: Make sure that the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.
• VPPSA Compost Facility
145 Goodwin Neck Road, York County
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays

York County

When: Week of Jan. 7

Where: Natural trees will be picked up at curbside for recycling, or they can be brought to the VPPSA Compost Facility (location listed below).

What to know: Make sure that the live tree is free of ornaments and tinsel.

• VPPSA Compost Facility
145 Goodwin Neck Road, York County
Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays