Recycle Christmas Trees In Howard Co. With Merry Mulch Program

COLUMBIA, MD — Residents can recycle their real Christmas trees in a variety of ways after the holiday season winds down. Howard County's Merry Mulch program has helped keep thousands of trees out of the landfill since 1993. All collected trees are delivered to the composting facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycled into compost and mulch.

"I encourage residents to use this opportunity to keep trees out of the landfill this holiday season. By spring, these trees will be re-purposed and ready to use as compost and mulch," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in a statement. "By simply making a plan to recycle trees this year, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable environment in Howard County for all."

Starting Dec. 26 through Jan. 18, holiday trees may be recycled seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the drop-off sites listed below except at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Clarksville: Kendall Hardware, 12260 Clarksville Pike
• Columbia: Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane
• Elkridge: Rockburn Branch Park (East), 5400 Landing Road
• Ellicott City: Small Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive (just past Ellicott Mills Drive, on the right)
• Highland: Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road
• Marriottsville: Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road (open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Savage: Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street
• Woodbine: Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road

Howard County residents with curbside yard trim collection may set their holiday trees out on their yard trim day for collection through Jan. 17. Trees will not be picked up on trash collection days during this time for residents with yard trim collection. All decorations, including tinsel, garland, ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic bags, etc. must be removed. Trees must also be cut into less than four foot lengths and tied; they should not be bagged. Each bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds.

Residents are reminded to set their tree out the night before their collection day. Trees will be picked up on your collection day between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. by the yard trim truck. Residents are reminded that artificial trees cannot be placed in the blue carts for curbside recycling. Artificial holiday trees and wreaths with metal components can be recycled year-round in the scrap metal area at the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents’ Convenience Area.

After Jan. 18, when the sites listed above are no longer accepting holiday trees and curbside yard trim collection is no longer offered, residents may continue to bring their holiday trees to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No plastic bagged trees will be accepted.