Albemarle County Christmas tree recycling details announced

It’s almost that time of year again!  As in the past, the Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program beginning December 26, 2014 through January 18, 2015. The Christmas Tree Recycling Program collects discarded Christmas trees which are chipped into mulch and then offered to the public at no cost. This program has collected an average of 2300 trees annually since 1988, when the program began. This yields over 109 cubic yards of mulch. Not only does this recycling program provide citizens a place to dispose of a potentially large and cumbersome item, it also reduces the impact on our landfill.

By combining forces with the Charlottesville Curb Side Pick-Up Program, the joint programs collected over 4800 trees last year, yielding approximately 228 cubic yards of mulch. According to the City Public Works Department, curbside pick up for City residents will be the week of January 5, 2015. Trees must be at the curbside by 7am. Shortly after the City’s curbside pick up, the County and City Parks & Recreation crews will team up to chip an estimated 2500 trees at Darden Towe Park.

The County will operate the following seven sites daily, from 7am until dark:

• Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road*
  (Note: Sunday hours are 12:30 to 5:30 pm)
• Crozet Park in Crozet
• Greenwood Community Center in Greenwood
• Chris Greene Lake Park in Earlysville
• Darden Towe Park on Elks Drive
• Scottsville Community Center in Scottsville
• Walnut Creek Park off Old Lynchburg Road

  *this location may be congested, please consider Darden Towe Park as an alternate location that is less congested and is better suited for large loads and contract haulers.

As a reminder, this program is for Christmas trees only, please no yard waste. Both the County and City programs require that all decorations, stands and nails be removed from the Christmas trees. Free mulch will be available to citizens starting February 1, 2015, at Darden Towe Park.