Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in the Midlands

Now that Christmas is over, what do you do with the live tree?

Keep the Midlands Beautiful is hosting a Christmas tree grinding event and there are several locations where you can drop off this year's tree for recycling. 

Before dropping off your tree, follow these steps:

• Remove all lights, tinsel and ornaments from the tree.
• Remove tree from stand.
• Drop off trees only - no wreaths, garland, or other greenery
• Remove tree from bag and remove any string, wire, or ties on the tree.

Trees can be dropped off at the following locations starting today through Jan. 10, 2013. Mulch will be available for pickup on Saturday, Jan. 12.

Christmas Tree Drop-off Locations

• Blythewood Drop-off Recycling Faciltiy: 311 Blythewood Road, Blythewood 
• Caughman Road Park: 2800 Trotter Rd, Hopkins. Mon-Fri, 2 to 9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m; Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• Columbia Compost Facility: 121 Humane Lane, Columbia (Off Shop Road across from the SPCA). Open Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development: 900 Clemson Road, Columbia
• Crooked Creek Park: 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin (Next to Chapin Middle School.) Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friarsgate Park: 1712 Chadford Rd., Irmo. Mon-Fri. 2 to 9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• Forest Lake Park: 6820 Wedgefield Rd., Columbia. Mon-Fri-2 to 9 p.m.;Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• Fort Jackson Recyclig Center:  Building #5671 on Lee Road, Fort Jackson. (Enter the Fort through Gate 2 on Forest Drive. After Burger King, turn left onto Lee Road.) Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat 8:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Holiday Inn: 228 110 McSwain Drive, West Columbia.
• Hollow Creek Tree Farm: 228 Windmill Road, Gilbert, SC 29054. Click here for more information.
• Lexington County C&D Landfill: 498 Landfill Lane, Lexington. Open Mon-Sat., 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Lexington County Sandhills Collection Center: 3241 Charleston Highway, Cayce. Open Mon, Weds, Fri, Sat 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun 3 to 7 p.m.
• Lexington County Southeast Collection Center: 538 Martin Neese Road, Swansea. Open Mon, Weds, Fri, Sat 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun 3 to 7 p.m.
• Meadowlake Park: 600 Beckman Rd Columbia. Mon-Fri, 2 to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• North Springs Park: 1320 Clemson Rd., Columbia. Mon-Fri, 2 to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• Polo Road Park: 730 Polo Road, Columbia. Mon-Fri, 2 to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun 1 to 6 p.m.
• Richland County C&D Landfill: 1070 Caughman Road North, Columbia (off Monticello). Open Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. to noon
• Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church: 5508 Sunset Blvd. (Highway 378), Lexington
• Seven Oaks Park:200 Leisure Lane, Columbia. (near the intersection of St. Andrews and Piney Grove Roads).
• South Carolina State Farmers Market: 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia.

Christmas Tree Mulch

Free mulch made from the recycled trees will be available to the public at the following two locations starting Jan. 12, 2013, from 9 a.m. until the mulch runs out:

• Seven Oaks Park:200 Leisure Lane, Columbia. (near the intersection of St. Andrews and Piney Grove Roads).
• South Carolina State Farmers Market: 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia.

All griding is provided by Asplundh.

For the artificial trees and lights, too, Keep the Midlands Beautiful has partnered with CMC Recycling.

You can drop off those items at the following locations:

• CMC Recycling / Cayce Yard: 603 Godley Street, Cayce. Phone: 803-926-0060. Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m (Closes at noon on Dec. 31 and is closed on New Year's Day) 
• CMC Recycling / Lexington Yard: 2308 Two Notch Road, Lexington 29072. Phone Number: 803-359-6139. Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Closed at noon on Dec. 31 and is closed on New Year's Day).