Christmas Tree Disposal Program Set To Begin In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The city of Middletown's Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling Program will starts for this season on Jan. 6, weather permitting.

The special recycling program is provided free of charge to local residents each season and is one component of the city's overall effort to "reduce waste and manage discarded materials sustainably," officials said.

Christmas trees will be taken in two manners, they can either be brought to the City Recycling Center, free of charge, for recycling, or placed at the curb for collection by the Middletown Public Works Department. Public Works trucks will circulate through the city for two weeks in January to collect Christmas trees set out at the curb on public streets.

All trees must be prepared accordingly:

• All decorations must be removed, including tinsel
• Plastic bags must also be removed
• Trees should be placed bottom end facing the curb
• Trees will only be collected from public streets

The collection schedule will depend upon weather conditions. Heavy snow will delay collection of the trees, officials said.

Trees delivered directly to the Recycling Center must also have all decorations removed and be emptied from plastic bags. Residents must obtain a free pass to use the Recycling Center, which can be obtained online. The pass will be mailed to residents or it can be picked up at the DPW.

The Recycling Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and the first and third Saturdays of the month from 7 to 11:45 a.m.

Christmas trees are chipped along with regular brush from residents and the wood chips are given away free of charge to Middletown residents and businesses. For more information on Christmas tree recycling contact the Middletown Public Works Department at 860-638-4850 or email recycling@middletownct.gov.