We all remember that Christmas tree we held onto for too long and got so crispy it became an explosion hazard — here’s a gentle encouragement to not let that happen this year.
Composting Christmas Trees
For Boiseans with curbside compost, disposal couldn’t be simpler. Just take all decorations off your tree and put it in your compost cart, cutting it into segments if needed. The entire tree needs to be in the cart — don’t lay any of it on the ground.
If you don’t have curbside service, your best bet is to drop your tree off at the Ada County Landfill between Jan. 6 and 10, which is free. I’ll remind you of that window as it gets closer.
While the city (and I) are excited about the Food Scrap Drop-Off pilot program, it won’t accept Christmas trees.
What to Do with Old Decorations
If you have unusable decorations or holiday lights, recycle them at one of the city’s drop-off locations. Some Home Depot and Ace Hardware locations will take your faulty holiday lights and recycle them for you.
Are your decorations in good working order? Give them a new life by donating them to a local organization, a thrift store, or hardware store.
I’ll leave you with one last tip for the overachievers out there: take notes on how to reduce your holiday waste next year.
