(KTTS News) – Looking for a place to dispose of your live Christmas tree? Check out Springfield Environmental Services’ list of drop-off locations.
There are several options available in Springfield that allow you to recycle or repurpose your tree while also giving back to the local community.
Recycling options for live trees:
Springfield residents are reminded that live Christmas trees are not accepted at Missouri landfills; however, live trees will be accepted for recycling at the following locations:
The City of Springfield Yardwaste Recycling Center (3790 S. Farm Road 119, Brookline) will accept residential Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and other organic decorations for no charge between Dec. 26, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024. All other times of the year the standard fee schedule will apply. The facility is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and national holidays. Trees are NOT accepted at the Franklin Avenue and Lone Pine recycling centers.
Trees will be ground into wood chip mulch, available for purchase at the YRC and Lone Pine recycling centers. Please remember to remove all tree stands, decorations, wiring and twine. No flocked trees are accepted. For more information, call 864-1905.
Bass Pro Shops will accept live trees at 1938 S. Campbell Avenue, across the street from the main store entrance, between noon and 6 p.m., daily, Dec. 26 – 29. A $10 per tree donation is recommended, benefiting projects for the Ozark Trails Council Boy Scouts Wa-Sha-She Lodge Order of the Arrow.
Please remove tree stands and all decorations. No flocked trees accepted. Trees will be used to provide structure and habitat for fish at Table Rock Lake. For more information, contact Bass Pro Communications at 873-4567 or press@basspro.com.
Hansen’s Greenwaste (3341 S. Farm Road 107, Brookline) will accept residential Christmas trees for no fee, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 27, 2023, through Feb. 2, 2024. After Feb. 2, a $5 fee per tree will apply. Please remove all tree stands, decorations and plastic bags. No flocked or artificial trees accepted. Call 877-8733 for more information.
Wickman’s Gardens (1345 S. Fort Avenue) will accept live Christmas trees beginning Dec. 27 for a $5 donation. Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Proceeds will be donated to The Kitchen. Live cut trees only. No Flocked or artificial trees accepted. Remove tree stands, all decorations and plastic bags. For more information, call 862-3707.
Options for artificial trees, holiday decor and string lights:
Artificial trees and holiday decor in usable condition are accepted for free at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2410 S. Scenic Ave.) as well as Missouri Council of the Blind Thrift Stores (2713 N. Kansas Expy.) during normal business hours only.
This is a great way to give your tree a second chance and bring holiday cheer to a new family.
“Unfortunately, our community doesn’t have a resource for recycling artificial trees at this time, so we urge folks to maintain their trees and make an effort to use them for as many years as possible,” Krug adds. “Donation is another great option if the tree is in good, working condition.”
As a final option, trees in poor condition may also be disposed of at the Springfield Sanitary Landfill.
String lights can be recycled for no charge at the following locations:
Computer Recycling Center
528 N. Prince Lane – 417-866-2588
Fee: None
Complete Electronics Recycling
2935 W. Chestnut Expy – 417-864-4415
Fee: None
Lowe’s
1850 E. Primrose St. location only – 417-889-1980
A recycling can labeled “Christmas Lights” is located in the cart corral in the front of the store.
Fee: None
All Metal Recycling
3340 W. Division – 417-862-0011
Fee: None (Pay 10 cents/lb.)
Subject to change.
Commercial Metals Company
634 E. Phelps – 417-862-0548
Fee: None (Pay 30 cents /lb.)
Subject to change.
Household holiday recyclables:
The following holiday items are accepted at the Lone Pine (3020 S. Lone Pine Ave.), Franklin Avenue (731 N. Franklin Ave.) and Yardwaste Recycling Center (3790 S. Farm Road 119, Brookline) facilities open Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m:
- Paper – Wrapping paper, wrapping tissue paper, greeting cards and paper decor with no foil or glitter are accepted.
- Paperboard gift boxes and wrapping paper tubes are accepted. These technically qualify as paper, so please deposit in the paper bin.
- Corrugated cardboard boxes are accepted. Please flatten to save space.
- Plastic, glass & aluminum beverage containers from your holiday parties. Please rinse out first.
- Plastic food containers and metal cans from your holiday meal prep. Must be rinsed and free of food. No need to remove lids or labels. Aluminum pans from your Turkey or casseroles are NOT accepted. No plastic bags please!
Learn more about how to recycle, repurpose and create less waste throughout the holiday season by following @SGFEnvironmentalServices on facebook or Instagram. For questions about recycling opportunities in Springfield visit springfieldmo.gov/recycling or search the Waste Wizard recycling database at springfieldmo.gov/wastewizard.