Don’t be the Grinch. Throw your Christmas tree eco-friendly in NJ

Why did Kelly Everett come to North Department Park on Thursday morning with a Christmas tree stuffed behind her SUV? Straightforward. To make the planet higher.

“I believe it comes right down to being as environmentally aware as shopping for it and simply throwing it away, recycling it and turning it into mulch,” mentioned Everett, who put a blanket behind his automobile to catch stray needles from the tree.

The vacations are over, however that does not imply cleansing cannot be eco-friendly.

Somerset County’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program started final week and can run by way of January 31 at each Colonial Park Gardens and North Department Park, permitting residents to eliminate their bushes and assist the atmosphere.

“Mulch and sawdust collected from recycled bushes shall be used all through the park system to assist nurture and shield flora,” county officers mentioned. said in an announcement.

Sadly, the custom of recycling bushes for an eco-friendly undertaking on the Jersey Shore will not occur this yr.

“The State Park Service is not going to be accumulating Christmas bushes for dune replenishment at Island Seaside State Park this yr because of the presence of Seabeach amaranth, a federally threatened, worldwide uncommon, state endangered plant.” park advisor said.

Larry Hajna, spokesman for the New Jersey Division of Environmental Safety, mentioned Wednesday that the threatened plant, which produces a excessive proportion of seeds, was discovered “within the space the place the Christmas tree can be positioned.” If positioned there, the bushes can chew on Seabeach amaranth, though they solely thrive in very particular areas. has seen a revival over the years.

Nonetheless, there are numerous methods to responsibly eliminate your Christmas tree, and there are some issues to remember when doing so.

Initially, do not burn your tree within the open. forbidden in New Jersey, based on authorities laws.

State officers say “Christmas tree bonfires usually are not secure” in a consultation. “Not like secure wooden burning, wooden isn’t dry and produces extra smoke than essential. Second, many Christmas bushes nonetheless have some decorations on them; tinsel, lighting, and ignored ornaments; none of this stuff ought to ever be burned over an open fireplace as they’ll emit numerous poisonous releases.

Additionally for those who’re throwing an actual tree (not like the unreal one which many cities do not), be sure you do not put it in a plastic bag or go away any decorations on it earlier than you drop it.

Whereas many municipalities take away bushes together with the remaining trash in the course of the first two weeks of January, residents ought to examine with native authorities or council web sites earlier than putting them on the curb. Right here is the record proposed by the state your services Some counties and cities present:

Atlantic County

This Atlantic County Utilities Authority collects actual Christmas bushes together with the remainder of your waste in these municipalities: Absecon, Buena Vista City, Egg Harbor Metropolis, Hamilton City, Linwood, Northfield, Ventnor and Weymouth City. It’s also possible to drop bushes at ACUA’s facility in Atlantic Metropolis.

Burlington County

Burlington County will provide free tree destruction On the Useful resource Restoration Advanced in Florence and Mansfield. Residents should take away lights, ornaments, and different decorations earlier than downing bushes.

Hunterdon County

The next Hunterdon County municipalities both present assortment providers for Christmas bushes or require residents to drop them off at close by amenities or elsewhere: Alexandria, Bethlehem, Bloomsbury, Califon, Clinton, Delaware, East Amwell, Flemington, Franklin, Frenchtown, Glen Gardner, Excessive Bridge, The Netherlands, Lebanon County, Lebanon County, Lambertville, Milford, Raritan, Readington, Tewksbury and West Amwell.

For extra data go to co.hunterdon.nj.us/328/Christmas-Tree-Recycling.

Ocean County

Residents can drop off their Christmas bushes at each the northern and southern recycling facilities of the county. The Ocean County Division of Parks and Recreation may even gather and recycle Christmas bushes between December 26 and January 31.

Timber could also be launched in designated parts of: Cattus Island County Park, Cloverdale Farm County Park, Wells Mills County Park, Ocean County Park, Beaver Dam County Park, Jake Department County Park, Mill Creek County Park, Enos Pond County Park, Robert J. Miller Airpark , Freedom Fields County Park, Patriots County Park, Stanley H.“Tip” Seaman County Park, A. Paul King County Park, Ocean County Golf Course at Atlantis, and Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond.

Cape Might County Zoo

The Cape Might County Zoo continued its actions. tradition This yr of accumulating Christmas bushes for animals to have fun there. Beneficial to residents after the final week of December. contact zoo officials earlier than donating.

cedar grove

The native parks division has been accumulating bushes within the county for about 4 weeks beginning January 1. Authorities suggest that residents go away bushes on the sidewalk earlier than 8 a.m. on recycling days. Don’t put bushes in plastic baggage, they said.

elizabeth

To eliminate a Christmas tree in Elizabeth You may name 908-820-4147 or drop your tree on the metropolis’s recycling heart to be added to the recycling assortment record on Wednesdays. Residents should take away decorations earlier than discarding.

Honest Grass

Christmas bushes gathering Fair Lawn Recycling Division Through the week of January ninth. The next are drop-off dates Additionally obtainable all through the month.

Franklin Lakes

Franklin Lakes collects Christmas bushes throughout the county Officers mentioned bushes in plastic baggage is not going to be collected and bushes must be positioned on the sidewalk, not the road.

Hoboken

After January 2, Christmas bushes must be positioned on the sidewalks after 7:30 p.m. in all places besides on Washington Avenue (after 9 p.m.) on Tuesday and Thursday nights. They’re taken early on Wednesday and Friday mornings. For extra data go to hobokennj.gov/resources/waste-collection.

Metropolis of Jersey

Jersey Metropolis will fertilize their Christmas bushes without cost. Residents are requested to take away decorations from bushes and put them on the pavement between 5 pm and seven pm on Wednesday evenings.

to study extra Click here.

Livingston

The Livingston Division of Public Works collects and recycles Christmas bushes every January. “Depart your untrimmed minimize tree on the curb, as you’ll for recycling.” says town.

This system continues till 31 January after New 12 months’s Day. Decide-up takes place on weekdays, Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 16:00.

Mendham

Mendham’s Christmas tree picking begins Monday, January ninth. By 7am, bushes must be left on the sidewalk and all plastic, tinsel, lights and decorations eliminated.

Montclair

Christmas bushes shall be collected in Montclair on recycling days all through January. officials announced. The bushes are recycled and used for compost.

Moorestown

In the event you reside in Moorestown, discarding your tree is as straightforward as leaving it on the pavement to be picked up on common rubbish and recycling days. Click on to study extra here.

morristown

Timber shall be collected on the sidewalk in Morristown all through January. Timber with baggage or lights or ornaments usually are not collected. the town said. “Wreaths with metallic reinforcements inside is not going to be collected and must be eliminated in your bulk rubbish assortment days.”

Morris City

Each week in January, Christmas bushes shall be collected in Morris Township. Go to to study extra morristwp.com/171/Christmas-Trees.

Morris Plains

The bushes are harvested from January 2 to January 19 annually. Extra data, together with the right way to contact your native public works division can be found here.

new brunswick

New Brunswick residents are urged to go away naked Christmas bushes on the sidewalk on Tuesday nights to be collected each Wednesday in January. Be taught extra by clicking here.

Newark

Tree assortment begins the Monday after Christmas in Newark and continues by way of January 27. Christmas bushes are collected by groups on “backyard waste” assortment days. For extra data go to newarknj.gov/departments/public-works.

ocean metropolis

Christmas bushes in Ocean Metropolis is taken With rubbish and recycling till the top of January. Go to ocnj.us/trash-and-recycle-faq for extra particulars.

South Brunswick

Christmas bushes in South Brunswick is taken With recycling from January 2 to the second week of January. They may then be collected on rubbish day. Residents mustn’t put bushes in baggage.

Southern Orange

Christmas tree curbside assortment will run by way of the week of January third to February 4th, officers announced there. Wreaths, arbors, ornaments and different festive decorations is not going to be collected.

Tom River

The Toms River Parks and Recreation Division’s Christmas tree recycling program will happen all through January on the following places: Skyview Park (Vaughn Avenue), Riverwood Park (Riverwood Avenue), Silverton Park (Maine Avenue), Bayside Park (Bay Blvd., Ortley) ), Bey Lea Park (Tennis Court docket and Parking Lot), Chadwick Seaside Park (Strickland Blvd.), Cash Island Park (Longfellow Avenue), Winding River Park – South (Rt. 37 West Off), and Toms River Township Recycling Heart (Church) ) Path).

After this system will run away Christmas bushes have to be deposited on the council’s Recycling Comfort Heart at 1672 Church Street from January 16 to January 27.

Woolwich City

Woolwich Township will maintain Christmas tree gatherings on January 10 and January 17. For extra data Click here.

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Steven Rodas may be reached at: srodas@njadvancemedia.com. observe him on twitter @stevenrodasnj.

Ed Murray may be reached at: emurray@njadvancemedia.com.