The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is urging Delawareans to recycle their live Christmas trees at a yard waste recycling site.

Such recycling saves valuable space in the state’s landfills. More than 176,000 tons of yard waste — including grass, leaves, brush, trees and other landscape materials — was recycled in 2021.

Certain sites accept trees at no cost, while others charge for the service. Before dropping off a tree, residents are encouraged to call the location to inquire about restrictions and prices.

Trees may be accepted as soon as Monday and as late as Jan. 28, 2023. Commercial haulers or landscapers should call a facility prior to delivering loads of Christmas trees to be mulched.

Residents who pay for curbside collection should call their waste hauler about Christmas tree pickup services.

A list of yard waste drop-off sites is available here.

Christmas trees are not accepted for recycling at Delaware State Parks, and it is illegal to dump them on dunes, beaches or anywhere in a state park.

Whether dropping off a Christmas tree or having it collected, prepare it for recycling by detaching tree stands and removing decorations.

Residents also are reminded that Jan. 15 is the last day to drop off materials, including Christmas trees, at the Polly Drummond Hill Community Yard Waste Site in Newark. It will reopen March 25.