Austin Resource Recovery Reminds Residents To Give Their Christmas Trees Another Life
Annually, Christmas tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City’s goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – After Christmas trees are carefully selected, decorated and displayed throughout December, they don’t have much use once the presents have been opened.
However, City of Austin residents can give their natural trees a second life by recycling them into mulch or compost. Annually, Christmas tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City’s goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.
For City of Austin curbside customers, recycling Christmas trees is as easy as setting it on the curb. Beginning Dec. 26, 2018, Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all natural trees, along with yard trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days.
All trees for curbside collection that are six feet or taller must be cut in half. Please set your tree at the curb by 6:30 a.m. The collected trees and yard trimmings are then composted or turned into Dillo Dirt™.
All residents, including those without City of Austin curbside service, can drop off their trees at the Zilker Park Polo Fields between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days:
- Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018
- Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018
- Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019
- Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019
Residents should use the following guidelines when recycling their tree:
- Trees sprayed with flocking, or artificial snow, are not accepted
- Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights and the tree stand
- Do not place the tree in a “tree bag”
- Only natural trees may be recycled
Mulch from trees collected at the drop-off location will be available on a first-come, first served basis to Austin residents on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019.
City of Austin offices and facilities will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays—below is a list of those closures and service changes.
City Offices
City of Austin administrative offices and other municipal facilities will be closed Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Normal business hours will resume Wednesday, Dec. 26. The following week, City offices and facilities will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, for the New Year’s holiday. Normal business hours will resume Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Trash and Recycling
Christmas: Austin Resource Recovery curbside collections will not occur on Tuesday, Dec. 25. All trash, recycling, and yard trimmings/compost collection will “slide” one day with collections occurring Wednesday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 29. The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25. View the full holiday schedule at austintexas.gov/department/
New Year’s Day: Austin Resource Recovery curbside collections will not occur on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. All trash, recycling, and yard trimmings/compost collection will “slide” one day with collections occurring Wednesday, Jan. 2, through Saturday, Jan. 5. The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Visit austinrecycles.com to view the 2019 collection schedule and sign up for reminders.
Libraries
All Austin Public Library branches will be closed Sunday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Dec. 26. Additionally, all libraries will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.
Animal Center
The Austin Animal Center will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24 and remain closed Tuesday, Dec. 25. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Dec. 26. The AAC will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31 and remain closed Tuesday, Jan. 1. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Parks and Recreation
All recreation centers, senior centers, museums and cultural arts centers, and nature centers will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24 and again on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Aquatic facilities, except Barton Springs Pool, which will remain open but operated unguarded from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., will close at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24 and again on Tuesday, Jan. 1. All recreation centers, senior centers, museums and cultural arts centers, nature centers and botanical gardens, golf courses, tennis centers, and aquatics facilities, except Barton Springs Pool which will operate unguarded, will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25.
New Year’s Celebration
The Austin’s New Year’s celebration will take place Monday, Dec. 31 on Vic Mathias Shores. The free festival of music, art, food, and family friendly fun starts at 3 p.m. and ends with a fireworks finale at 10 p.m. Some roadways in the area will be impacted by the event. Event information and related road closures can be viewed at austinsnewyear.com.
Transport
The winter holiday season is a time when intoxicated driving incidents in Texas increase. The City of Austin would like to remind residents and visitors to plan a safe ride home before going out for holiday celebrations. There are several options available, including free rides on Capital Metro services after 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. For more information and additional safe ride options, visit austintexas.gov/GetHomeSafe.
