DES MOINES, Iowa — As the holiday season winds to a close, it's time to say goodbye to your Christmas tree, but don't just throw it away. Here are some options for environmentally-friendly disposal in and around Des Moines.
Know of any other options? Email Local 5 at news@weareiowa.com or text us at 515-457-1026.
Ankeny Sanitation/Metro Waste Authority
Trees should be free of ornaments, decorations, tree stands and bags. Trees should also be secured to prevent them from blowing into the street. Artificial trees and flocked trees will not be accepted.
Ankeny Sanitation will be collecting Christmas trees in the following cities on the following dates:
- Adel: Tuesday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 11
- Ankeny: Jan. 3-7
- Customers should have their trees out on city curbs by 7 a.m. on Jan. 3. Those that do not have it out that week can call Ankeny Sanitation for pickup the following week, but there will be a $10 fee.
- Earlham: Tuesday, Jan. 4
- Waukee: Monday, Jan. 3 and Monday, Jan. 10
Metro Waste Authority stickers required:
Ankeny Sanitation will still pick up trees in these cities, but they must have a green "Compost It!" sticker attached. The stickers can be purchased online and at these retail locations.
- Bondurant: Wednesday December 29th, 2021 and Wednesday, Jan. 5
- Clive: Thursday, Dec. 30; Friday, Dec. 31; Thursday, Jan. 6 and Friday, Jan. 7
- Grimes: Monday, Dec. 27; Tuesday, Dec. 28; Monday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday Jan. 4
- Johnston: Monday, Dec. 27; Tuesday, Dec. 28; Monday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday Jan. 4
- Norwalk: Tuesday, Dec. 28; Wednesday, Dec. 29; Tuesday, Jan. 4 and Wednesday 5th, 2022
- Polk City: Wednesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Jan. 5
- West Des Moines: Week of Dec. 27 and week of Jan. 3 on residents' typical trash collection day
- Windsor Heights: Friday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 7
City of Ames
Ames is providing free Christmas tree recycling at the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Building at 700 E. 13th St. Residents can drop off trees during daylight hours through the end of January.
The tree stand and any ornaments and tinsel must be removed prior to drop off.
The trees will be recycled into mulch, which will be used in city parks.
Upcycle your tree
Recycle Me Iowa recommends repurposing your tree by using it for fish food, bird houses or garden mulch. You can learn more about each of those options here.
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