Recycle Live Christmas Trees Through County's Merry Mulch Program

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Once the holidays have passed by and Howard County residents are taking down their decorations, don't forget to recycle live Christmas trees through the county's annual Merry Mulch program.

Since 1993, the Merry Mulch program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment, officials note. All collected live trees are taken to the county’s composting facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycled into compost and mulch. The landfill is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I encourage residents to reduce their carbon footprint by keeping trees out of the landfill this holiday season. By spring, this organic material will be repurposed and ready to use as compost and mulch. By simply recycling your holiday tree, you can create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for all," stated Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

The program will be available starting Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 17. Trees can be recycled seven days a week during regular business hours at drop-off sites:

• Clarksville: Kendall Hardware, 12260 Clarksville Pike (Route 108)
• Columbia: Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane
• Elkridge: Rockburn Branch Park – East, 5400 Landing Road
• Ellicott City: Old Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive (just past Ellicott Mills Drive, on the right)
• Highland: Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road
• Marriottsville: Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road (open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Savage: Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street
• Woodbine: Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road

Community members also can find use an interactive map that shows drop-off locations.

Howard County residents with curbside yard trim collection can set their holiday trees out on their yard trim day for collection through Jan. 16. Trees will not be picked up on trash collection days during this time for residents with yard trim collection. All decorations, including tinsel, garland, ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic bags, etc., must be removed. Trees must be cut into less than four-foot lengths and tied – they should not be bagged and each bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds. Residents should set their tree out the night before their collection day. Trees will be picked up on residents' collection day, between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., by the yard trim truck.

After Jan. 17, when the Merry Mulch program sites are no longer accepting holiday trees and curbside yard trim collection is no longer offered, residents can take their holiday trees to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.