Tree recycling a green option for post-holiday clean-up

Celebrants can start the new year right by recycling Christmas trees at a DNREC Community Yard Waste Site until Jan. 18. After removing all ornaments, wire and tinsel, Delaware residents can drop off their trees and other greens at any one of the yard waste sites. To help defray costs, the state parks will accept donations of $2.

In Sussex County, the sites are at Trap Pond State Park, located at 33587 Baldcypress Lane in Laurel, and Cape Henlopen State Park, located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes. Both parks are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. In Kent County, trees can be recycled at Killens Pond State Park, located at 5025 Killens Pond Road in Felton, from 8 a.m. to sunset, as well.

DNREC is also urging the public to not place any trees or greens on the sand dunes. Old trees left on dunes will kill beach grass and other vegetation and can result in destroying a sand dune.

“When dead trees and brush are added to a dune, beach grass and other vegetation can be smothered,” said Jennifer Wheatley, environmental scientist with DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section. “Beach grass that is damaged or destroyed is no longer efficient in trapping and holding sand, and wind erosion of the dune can occur.

“In addition, dead trees and brush are fire hazards, which can lead to the destruction of established dunes and wildlife habitat. By keeping Christmas trees off dunes, we help protect sand dunes which are so valuable to our coastal areas.”

According to Gary Focht, state parks tree recycling program coordinator, DNREC’s Christmas tree recycling program is now in its 16th consecutive year at state parks.

“The program has grown every year, with more residents seeing the benefits of recycling trees into a useful product – wood chips – that benefit our environment. It’s wonderful that so many people want to give back to the environment and support this eco-friendly activity,” Focht said.

“Recycling old Christmas trees preserves valuable landfill space,” said Rob Underwood, program manager with DNREC’s Solid and Hazardous Waste branch. “The program helps extend the life of Delaware’s landfills and promotes sustainability.”

Delawareans are being encouraged to “Go Green” this holiday season by recycling their Christmas trees at a state park in Kent and Sussex counties. Trees, free of ornaments, wire, stands and tinsel, can be dropped-off at one of six locations statewide through Jan. 18.

In Sussex County, locations include Trap Pond State Park, 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, and Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

All locations accept trees from consumers only, not from commercial haulers or tree vendors. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal trees stands, must be removed. Signs designating the location of the drop-off areas at each location will be posted. To help defray costs, the state parks will accept donations of $2.

“Recycling old Christmas trees preserves valuable landfill space,” said Rob Underwood, program manager with DNREC’s Solid and Hazardous Waste branch. “The program helps extend the life of Delaware’s landfills and promotes sustainability.”

DSWA encourages Delawareans to recycle during the holidays

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) is also reminding residents that many of the things they use over the holiday season can be recycled. This time of year, they said, a lot of wrapping paper, holiday cards and gift boxes get thrown away, and DSWA encourages Delawareans to recycle these items.

Members of DSWA’s Curbside Recycling Program can place all these items into their recycling cart. For those who are not part of that program, wrapping paper, gift boxes, and holiday cards can be taken to one of the DSWA recycling drop-off centers.

For those who receive new electronics for the holidays, DSWA encourages them to discard their old items using DSWA’s Electronic Goods Recycling Programs. DSWA maintains 24 statewide drop-off locations for electronics. To find a drop-off location, visit www.dswa.com or call the Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

DSWA also encourages residents to recycle their Christmas trees. Members of DSWA’s yard-waste collection program can cut their tree down in the 4-by-2-foot requirements and place the tree in the provided 96-gallon cart.

For more information on this or any of DSWA’s programs, call the Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080 or visit www.dswa.com.

For information on yard-waste drop-off sites and recycling alternatives, visit DNREC’s Web site at www.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Yard Waste” or contact Rob Underwood at (302) 739-9403 or Robert.Underwood@state.de.us.

For more information on the state park tree recycling program, contact Gary Focht, 302-382-4616 or Gary.Focht@state.de.us.

For more information on shoreline and waterway management projects, visit www.swc.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Coastal Connection Newsletter – Fall 2009 issue.”