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SALT LAKE CITY — Now that Christmas morning mayhem is in the rearview mirror, it's time to part ways with your Christmas tree, if it's real.
Your options for tree disposal depend on where you live. Many cities along the Wasatch Front have designated tree disposal drop-off spots. This includes in West Valley City at West View Park and City Park from Dec. 29 through at least Jan. 5.
West Valley City Public Works director Dan Johnson told KSL NewsRadio that West Valley City has a bulky pickup program. With this program, homeowners can leave their trees out for bulky pickup when it's their designated day as long as the tree meets the city's size requirements.
Riverton also has pickup sites and options for disposal on its "Keep Riverton Beautiful" website.
As another alternative to tree drop-off, Salt Lake City is encouraging residents to cut up their trees enough so they fit into a compost bin, which is collected on trash day.
Either way, Johnson said it's probably best to not keep a potential fire hazard in your home longer than you have to.
Post-Christmas recycling
Now, what about all that leftover wrapping paper? Should it go to the trash? Not always, according to Johnson.
He said most wrapping paper can be recycled so long as it doesn't have ribbon, glitter or Styrofoam on it. He said when people recycle, it does make a difference.
"By recycling, … we're able to reduce the amount of material that actually goes to a landfill," Johnson said.
Johnson also said cardboard can be recycled. However, if there's any doubt whether something should be recycled or not, Johnson said "just throw it away."
"It's really difficult for the recyclers to pull trash out of the waste stream," Johnson said. "(It) ends up causing a lot of things that could be recycled to end up ultimately being discarded into a landfill."
For any questions or specifics on tree disposal or recycling, head to your city's website or contact city hall for help.
To dispose of real Christmas trees, make sure all decorations and tree stands are removed. For all services, any tree taller than 8 feet needs to be cut in half before being turned in.
Here is a noncomprehensive list of a few Utah cities offering Christmas tree services:
- Brighton, Copperton, Cottonwood Heights, Emigration: Schedule pickup for anytime in January here.
- Kaysville: Trees will be collected curbside on Jan. 11, and need to be set out by 6 a.m.
- Orem: Dumpster locations throughout the city, listed online here, Dec. 27-Jan. 19.
- Providence: Von Baer Park and Zollinger Park, no specified deadline.
- St. George: Green waste reuse center. Hours, restrictions and fee guidelines are online here.
- Salt Lake City: Cut up trees enough so they fit into a compost bin, collected on trash day.
- Riverton: Drop-off locations at Centennial Park, Monarch Meadows Park, or Riverton Rodeo Arena; Dec. 26 through the end of January.
- West Valley City: West View Park and City Park, Dec. 29-Jan. 5.
Contributing: Kaigan Mears Bigler
