Merry Mulch Recycling Program Accepts Live Christmas Trees In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents needing to get rid of their real Christmas trees can recycle them through the county's Merry Mulch program.

Since 1993, the Merry Mulch program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment. All collected live 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 repurposed and ready to use as compost and mulch,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “By simply making a plan to recycle trees this year, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable environment in Howard County for all.”

The Merry Mulch program started the day after Christmas and will run through Jan. 20. Trees can be recycled seven days a week during regular business hours at the drop-off sites listed below. One exception to the above days and times is the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Look for Merry Mulch signs at the following drop-off sites:

Clarksville:

• Kendall Hardware, 12260 Clarksville Pike

Columbia:

• Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane

Elkridge:

• Rockburn Branch Park (East), 5400 Landing Road

Ellicott City:

• Old Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive (just past Ellicott Mills Drive, on the right)
• Clarks Ace Hardware, 10325 Baltimore National Pike

Highland:

• Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road

Marriottsville:

• Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road (open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Savage:

• Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street

Woodbine:

• Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road

Howard County residents with curbside yard trim collection also can set their holiday trees out on their yard trim day for collection through Jan. 19. 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 also must 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 a homeowner's collection day between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. by the yard trim truck.

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 Center.

After Jan. 20 when the sites listed above are no longer accepting holiday trees and curbside yard trim collection is no longer offered, residents can still bring their holiday trees to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No plastic bagged trees will be accepted.

After Jan. 19 when curbside yard trim collection ends and trees will be collected as trash when put out on trash day. However, residents in the county’s “Feed the Green Bin” Food Scrap Collection area can set out yard trim and food scrap year-round.