How To Recycle Christmas Trees In Sarasota In 2022

SARASOTA, FL — Now that Christmas is over, Sarasota residents and business owners may be wondering how they should dispose of their Christmas tree.

Luckily, the city of Sarasota has offered some tips on how to properly get rid of your tree.

Before anything else, you should remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags from your Christmas tree.

The best option for disposing of your tree is by placing it out with your yard trimmings, the city said. It should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled service day.

Like all yard trimmings, the city asks that you put your tree in a paper lawn or leaf bag or in a 45-gallon or smaller container with handles.

Artificial trees can also be collected, but the city asks residents to consider donating their tree for a more sustainable option.

While Sarasota County’s trash and recycling website doesn’t specifically mention Christmas trees, it does offer some tips on yard waste, which should be placed separately from garbage and recyclables at the curb for collection.

Yard waste should be bagged, containerized, or bundled and tied, the county said. It should also be 4 feet or less in length and weigh 40 pounds or less.

If you don’t receive trash services from Sarasota or Sarasota County, check with your municipality on how to dispose of your Christmas tree.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that Christmas trees are brought outside after the holiday or when they’re dried out. Because dried-out trees are a fire hazard, they shouldn’t be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home.