What to do with your Christmas tree after the holiday: Recycling, disposal, more

HOUSTON - Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, what shall you do now that the holiday is over? Well, whenever you're ready to take down the tree, there are a few locations where you can recycle or dispose of them.

Whether artificial or natural, there are a few things you can do with your tree, so it's not a hassle. The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department has shared information on how you can dispose of it.

Artificial tree disposal

What you can do:

The City of Houston defines artificial trees as junk waste, and they can be disposed of as such.

According to their website, junk waste is collected on even numbered months of the year. Your tree must be placed at the curb between 6 p.m. the Friday before and 7 a.m. on the scheduled day of service.

Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags from Christmas trees prior to collection.

Bulky items can be dropped off at these locations:

North Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center - 9003 North Main Street, Houston, Texas, United States
Northwest Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center - 14400 Sommermeyer Street, Houston, Texas, United States
Northeast Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center - 5565 Kirkpatrick Boulevard, Houston, Texas, United States
South Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center - 5100 Sunbeam Street, Houston, Texas, United States
Southeast Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center - 2240 Central Street, Houston, Texas, United States

HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 6: People buy Christmas trees from Santa's Tree Farm in Half Moon Bay, California, United States on December 6, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Natural tree recycling

Natural, live trees are biodegradable, so they can easily be tossed into your compost pile in your backyard after removing the decorations, or re-purposed for use as mulch and other landscape applications.

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management is starting their annual tree recycling program on Friday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Jan. 23. Residents can drop off their trees at any of 20 recycling locations across the city.

Trees must have all lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, nails, and stands removed. The trees should not be flocked, painted, or artificial, as these cannot be recycled.

What you can do:

Here are the following listed locations:

Neighborhood Depositories

Open Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (New Hours starting Jan. 5, Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.)