Several free options are available to Hillsborough County solid waste customers

As you begin to pack up your holiday decorations, you may be wondering what to do with your live Christmas tree after the holiday. Several free options are available to Hillsborough County solid waste customers, including: free curbside pickup, free disposal at County yard waste facilities, or recycling and reusing the tree in their landscapes. 

Pickup at the curb

Curbside pickup of live Christmas trees is available to County solid waste customers by following these steps:

• Remove all decorations, lights, and tinsel
• Cut the tree trunk, limbs and branches into sections no longer than 4 feet and no wider that 6 inches in diameter
• Place curbside on your regular yard waste collection day

Drop it off

Hillsborough County solid waste customers can skip the hassle and work of cutting their live Christmas trees into smaller pieces for curbside pickup by taking trees directly to one of these Yard Waste Processing Facilities:

• 13000 U.S. 41 Gibsonton, FL 33534
• 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa FL 33625

All solid waste facilities, including Yard Waste Processing sites, will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Please view the Holiday Trash Collection Schedule for more details.

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Rules for drop off

Customers are required to have a photo I.D. and their current property tax bill showing the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Disposal Assessment to access the Yard Waste Processing Facilities, and they must be able to unload the trees themselves. Customers should also remove all decorations, lights, and tinsel. Artificial trees are not accepted at the yard waste sites. For any questions about taking trees to a Yard Waste Processing Facility, call Hillsborough County Solid Waste at (813) 272-5680.

Non-county residential solid waste customers can dispose of Christmas trees and other yard waste at a Hillsborough County Yard Waste Processing Facility by paying a tonnage fee.

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Recycle and Reuse

One way to recycle your Christmas tree is to simply move it to your back yard. The deteriorating tree will provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife.

To provide food for birds, you can hang a bird feeder or sliced fruit from the branches. You can also chop or grind your live Christmas tree and repurpose it as mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds.

For more ideas and information regarding recycling and repurposing live Christmas trees, contact the Hillsborough County Extension Office's Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program.

For more information about Hillsborough County solid waste collection and disposal services, visit our Trash & Recycling pages.

One way to recycle your Christmas tree is to simply move it to your back yard. The deteriorating tree will provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife.