If it’s time to un-deck the halls at your Lutz home, Hillsborough County has three different options you can take advantage of to make sure your formerly live Christmas tree is disposed of properly.
Curbside Pickup
The county’s trash haulers will pick up formerly live trees curbside on yard waste collection days. Before tossing that tree out at the curb, make sure to:
Take off all the tinsel, lights and decorations
Cut the tree into sections that are not longer than 4 feet or more than 6 inches in diameter
Just set out on the curb with other yard waste
Yard Waste Processing
If you don’t want to wait for your next yard waste pickup day, you can take your tree to a facility in person. This option enables you to skip cutting the tree into pieces, but do be sure to remove all lights, decorations and tinsel before attempting a drop off at these locations:
- 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave.
- 13001 U.S. Highway 41
- 350 Falkenburg Road
The county’s yard waste processing facilities are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except holidays. Be sure to bring a current tax bill and proper ID along to be able to access the yard waste facilities. People who are not county solid waste customers may have to pay a disposal fee.
Mulching
Residents can also turn their old trees into yard mulch they can use personally. For more information on how to recycle a live Christmas tree, contact Lynn Barber at the Hillsborough County Extension, 813-744-5519, Ext. 54105.
To find out more about Hillsborough County solid waste collection and disposal services, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/solidwaste, or call 813-272-5680.
