South Bend offers free Christmas tree recycling for city residents

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - As the holiday season winds down, the City of South Bend is helping residents take down their decorations sustainably with its free Christmas tree recycling program.

From January 2 through February 1, residents can set out their Christmas trees to be picked up for free and made into mulch and compost.

This program does not include recycling plastic Christmas trees.

Trees will be picked up on the same day a resident’s trash is picked up. Residents can schedule the pickup by calling 311 or by submitting an online request.

Before trees are collected, residents should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Trees should be put on the curb by 6 a.m. on pickup day. Do not put them in the street or in an alley and do not park a car on top of or in front of the tree.
• Remove all lights, ornaments, plastic coverings/wraps and metals (like nails or tree stands) before putting the tree out on the curb. These items can injure employees and damage tree shredding equipment.
• Artificial trees or trees containing metal, glass or wire won’t be collected.

Only one tree per household will be picked up for free. Additional trees can be collected for $10 each.

After February 1, scheduled pickups will be categorized under residents’ free monthly yard waste extra pickup.