Drop-off recycling programs turn live Christmas trees into mulch

Once the gifts have been unwrapped and the ornaments have been packed away, households that celebrated Christmas with a live tree have options for disposing of their used evergreen in an environmentally friendly way.

Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling has partnered with several local communities, organizations and businesses to offer its annual “tree-cycling” program at 15 locations in Westmoreland County.

Trees that are dropped off at any of the participating sites will be recycled, ending up as mulch in a community park instead of adding to the local waste stream. It is estimated that one live tree can make up to 5 pounds of mulch.

Over time, the mulch will decompose into dark organic material that helps to nourish and renew the soil.

“Christmas trees are a great tradition as well as a beautiful addition to your holiday decor,” said Mike Skapura, Westmoreland Cleanways executive director. “Don’t let their beauty end in a landfill. Let your tree’s beauty go full circle by giving it back to the earth.”

When they are dropped off, all trees should be free of decorations, lights and tree skirts, as well as any bag that might have been used to transport the tree.

Times and dates when trees will be accepted vary among the participating locations.

There is no charge for dropping off a tree, but donations are accepted at a Murrysville location hosted by the Murrysville/Export Rotary — at the Windstream parking lot, near the Giant Eagle supermarket. Hours there are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7 and 14.

Trees collected there are taken to nearby J.A. Rutter Co. Recycling and Landscape Supplies to be transformed into mulch.

All participating locations are the same ones that were available last year, with one exception. The Penn Township Municipal Building now will accept trees — replacing Schramm Farms & Orchards, which has closed near Harrison City. Trees will continue to be accepted at another Penn Township location: the Level Green Volunteer Fire Department. Both sites offer an open drop-off schedule from Jan. 1 through Jan. 31.

Other Westmoreland tree-cycling locations include:

• Allegheny Township: township maintenance building on School Road, open drop-off through Jan. 31.

• Armbrust: Jason Wilkinson Nursery, Route 819, open drop-off Dec. 26-Jan. 15.

• Derry Borough: salt shed at borough garage on East First Avenue, open Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

• Derry Township: outside gate at municipal building on Route 982, open Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

• Hempfield: high school auxiliary parking lot at Route 136 and Middletown Road, open Dec. 26-Jan. 29.

• Irwin: Valley Landfill on Pleasant Valley Road, 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

• Ligonier: The Country Market field at Loyalhanna Watershed Association farm, West Main Street and Springer Road, dawn to dusk, Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

• Mt. Pleasant Borough: municipal compost site between Kennedy Avenue and North Depot Street, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays Dec. 30-Jan. 31.

• North Huntingdon: township public works, Route 30 West, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

• Scottdale: Greenridge Reclamation Landfill (see scale attendant), 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays Dec. 26-Jan. 7.

• Unity: township municipal building on Beatty County Road, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays Jan. 2-31.

• Youngwood: borough maintenance building on South Third Street, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays Dec. 27-Jan. 13.

Visit westmorelandcleanways.org or call 724-879-4020 for more information.

Allegheny County recycling

In Allegheny County, residents are encouraged to drop off trees at nine county parks, where they will be mulched for use at the recreational sites.

The program will be offered from 8 a.m until dusk Dec. 26 through Jan. 14. All lights, decorations and tree stands must be removed.

The parks are:

• Boyce, soccer fields parking lot.

• Deer Lakes, Veterans Shelter parking lot.

• Harrison Hills, lot at Chipmunk and Cottontail drives.

• Hartwood Acres, Middle Road parking lot.

• North, swimming pool parking lot.

• Round Hill, Alfalfa Shelter parking lot.

• Settlers Cabin, wave pool parking lot.

• South, wave pool parking lot.

• White Oak, Wedding Garden parking lot.

More than 2,900 trees were mulched during the 2021-22 Allegheny County recycling program.

For details, visit alleghenycounty.us and select “Parks” under the “Government” heading.