Christmas Tree Recycling for Missoula and Hamilton Residents

Missoula Residents

As you all know, the holiday season is over. This time of the year for me is bittersweet – sweet because I no longer have to deal with all the Christmas drama, but bitter because now is the time to get rid of my beautiful Christmas tree. It’s not the sparkling white bulbs and colorful round ornaments that make me so sad to see the thing go. As a matter of fact, the main reason I hate to see it leave the comfort of my living room is because my fiancé and I searched for over three hours up Highway 12 to find “that perfect tree.” But, I need to let go because the same thing will probably happen again in eleven months, and I will probably fall madly in love with that tree too.

So, when I heard about Missoula Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forestry Division offering a recycling program that can use your tree to keep Missoula beautiful, I was thrilled. The Christmas Evergreen Program is free of charge, and turns Christmas trees into soil enrichment to be used all over town.

Last year alone the program recycled more than 15,000 trees from Missoula households! Not only did the recycling of these trees help save valuable landfill space, but the holiday icons were used to benefit Missoula lawns and gardens.

Parks and recreation crews will be picking up the trees at four sites throughout Missoula. The drop off locations are Playfair Park, McCormick Park, Fort Missoula’s South Avenue parking lot, and EKO Compost (1125 Clark Fork Lane.) Today, January 10, is the last day to drop off your tree for this program, so toss it in the back of your vehicle and head over to one of the above drop off spots. Don’t forget to remove the ornaments and decorations!

While the program is free, donations to Christmas Evergreen Program are welcome and appreciated. All money collected through the program will be used to help plant more trees in Missoula. How neat is that? To donate, call 721-PARK, or stop by Currents Aquatics Center in McCormick Park. Donations can also be mailed to the Urban Forestry Division, 100 Hickory St., Missoula, MT 59801.

Hamilton Residents

Residents of Hamiltion are also being offered an easy way to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays. City officials have teamed up with Bitterroot Disposal to set up bins for folks to drop off the trees. The bins will be set up in the parking lot across from the post office, 150 North 4^th street. Or residents can drop off their trees on Saturday, January 12, and Sunday, January 13. Call 406-363-1519 for more information.