Here’s how to recycle real Christmas trees in the metro Phoenix area

PHOENIX — With the holidays over and a new year on the way, it’s time to start thinking about what to do if you bought a real Christmas tree.

Luckily, most Phoenix-area cities have programs to make recycling those pine trees a breeze.

Many cities will haul them away on regularly scheduled bulk trash pickup days (check with your local municipality for details).

If you’d rather get rid of it before then, there are plenty of locations across the Valley where you can responsibly and conveniently dispose of your tree.

Just remember to remove all lights and decorations before tree-cycling.

Apache Junction: Trees can be taken to the Paws & Claws Care Center at 725 E. Baseline Ave. or Prospector Park at 3015 N. Idaho Road 24 hours a day through Feb. 1.

Avondale: Trees can be dropped off at A to Z Equipment Rentals and Sales at 803 E. Van Buren Street through Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility will have limited hours on New Year’s Eve and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Buckeye: Five of the city’s fire stations will accept trees on Jan. 9 and Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Chandler: Trees will be picked up on regular curbside recycling collection days through Jan. 15. Make sure to leave the trees at the edge of your driveway by 6 a.m. There also are 11 drop-off locations located throughout the city. Live potted trees can be donated for replanting at city parks by dropping them off at the Chandler Community Center (125 E. Commonwealth Ave.) or calling 480-782-2745 to schedule a pickup.

El Mirage: Leave trees out for curbside pickup on Jan. 4 by 5:30 a.m. or drop them off Jan. 4-8 at the El Mirage Public Works facility at 10355 N. 121st Ave.

Gilbert: Trees can be dropped off at three locations: Hetchler Park (Gilbert Soccer Complex) at 4260 S. Greenfield Road from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 10; Nichols Park at 700 N. Higley Road from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 10; and A to Z Rentals at 1313 E. Baseline Road from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Jan. 10 (closed Sundays and Jan. 1).

Glendale: The city has seven drop-off locations to accept trees through Jan. 9.

Litchfield Park: Residents can drop off trees Jan. 3 in the parking lot west of City Hall. Call 623-935-5033 for details.

Mesa: The city has five drop-off locations open 24 hours through Jan. 17. Residents can also schedule curbside pickup for a fee of $23.04 or take trees to the Salt River Landfill at Gilbert Road and Beeline Highway from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of January (no Sundays). Live potted trees five feet or taller can be donated for replanting at city parks by dropping them off at the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Administration Office at 708 Baseline Road or Red Mountain Multigenerational Center at 7550 E. Adobe Street (appointment required).

Peoria: Trees can be dropped off through Jan. 1 at one of the city’s eight drop-off stations.

Phoenix: The city has numerous drop-off locations that will accept trees through Jan. 9. Call 602-262-6251 or email cityservicesbill@phoenix.gov for more information. Container grown trees can be donated for replanting in the city parks. Only 15 gallon-sized and 24-inch box-sized trees will be accepted. Call the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 602-495-3762 for additional information.

Queen Creek: Trees will be accepted through Jan. 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m at a self-service drop-off located at 19715 S. 220th Street, north of the Barney Family Sports Complex.

Scottsdale: Trees can be deposited in yellow collection bins at seven city parks from Jan. 8 through Jan. 19.

Surprise: Four drop-off sites will accept trees through Jan. 10. Limit of two trees per household.

Tempe: Trees will be accepted 24 hours a day through Jan. 31 at the city compost yard on Rio Road (Hardy Drive and Rio Salado Parkway) and the west side of Kiwanis Park Recreation Center at 6111 W. All-America Way.

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