Sierra Martin | Managing Editor
SAN MARCOS – Christmas has ended, and it is time to welcome in the new year by taking down decorations and ridding your home of all the pine-needles that shed from the Christmas tree. The City of San Marcos and Keep San Marcos Beautiful have partnered up to make it easy to recycle and dispose of your trees this season.
Curbside pickup of Christmas trees is available for City of San Marcos Garbage Customers until January 31. The city has advised that customers place their tree curbside next to their Green Waste cart on Green Waste collection day.
All trees four-feet or taller must be cut in half, and trees sprayed with artificial snow will not be accepted. The trees must also be free of all ornaments, decorations, lights, tree stands, and bags.
Residents can also recycle their Christmas tree by dropping it off at the Parks and Recreation Department at 401 East Hopkins Street anytime before January 31.
Trees collected at the drop-off will be turned into mulch. Beginning January 12 at 9 a.m. the mulch will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. The mulch pick-up is self-service only, and the city asks that you bring your own tools and bags to collect it.
Keep San Marcos Beautiful also acknowledges that the Christmas season produces lots of wrapping paper, boxes, and bows and recyclable items. Information on how to properly dispose of different materials can be found in their video below.
For additional questions and concerns, contact the Resource Recovery team at RecyclingInfo@sanmarcostx.gov.