Christmas tree recycling information for Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties

TAMPA - Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties want you to help the Earth by recycling your live Christmas trees instead of throwing them into the garbage.

In Hillsborough County, residential solid waste collection customers will have two options to recycle their live Christmas trees this year: curbside collection or self delivery to a County Yard Waste Processing Facility.

For curbside collection you're asked to remove all tinsel and ornaments. Then cut your tree into four-foot long sections and place them out on your normal yard waste collection service day.

For self-delivery, remove tinsel and ornaments and take your tree to the nearest facility. Make sure you bring a copy of your property tax bill which lists the Solid Waste Disposal Assessment and some form of identification.

The self-delivery locations are as follows:

• Falkenburg Yard Waste Facility at 350 Falkenburg Road in Brandon
• Northwest Yard Waste Facility at 8001 West Linebaugh Avenue in Tampa
• South County Yard Waste Facility at 13001 US Hwy 41 in Apollo Beach

Facilities are open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Artificial trees cannot be recycled at this time. For more information on recycling in Hillsborough County, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/solidwaste .

In Pinellas County you can recycle your live tree by either curbside service or by dropping it off at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Operations.

You're asked to remove all decorations including hooks, garland, tinsel and lights. Keep the tree loose, not in a bag or trash can. If you live in an apartment or condo, place your tree near the dumpster, without blocking access to it.

The following Pinellas County cities offer Christmas tree recycling:

Belleair: Curbside collection with yard waste on regular day. For information, call (727) 588-3798, ext. 401.

Clearwater: Curbside collection with yard waste on regular day. For information, call (727) 562-4920.

Dunedin: Curbside collection with yard waste on regular day from 12/27/10 - 1/14/11. Residents without curbside yard waste pick-up can plan a pick-up day with their association. For information, call (727) 298-3215.

Gulfport: Curbside collection with yard waste on Wednesdays. For information, call (727) 893-1089.

Indian Rocks Beach: Curbside collection with yard waste on Wednesdays. For information, call (727) 595-6889.

Largo: Curbside collection with yard waste on regular day from 12/27/10 - 1/8/11. For information, call (727) 587-6760.

Madeira Beach: Curbside collection with yard waste on Wednesdays. For information, call (727) 391-1611.

Oldsmar: Drop off at 107 Shore Drive W., across from Park Blvd. Open from 12/26/10 - 1/14/11. For information, call (813) 749-1262.

Pinellas Park: Drop off at 12950 40th Street (residents only). For information, call (727) 541-0711.

Safety Harbor: Curbside collection with yard waste on Wednesdays. For information, call (727) 724-1550.

St. Petersburg: For curbside pickup place your tree out by Friday, 1/7/11 for pick-up on Saturday, 1/8/11. If your tree has not been picked up by 1/11, please call (727) 893-7398. You can also drop off at a St. Petersburg brush site: 1000 62nd Avenue N.E., 7750 26th Avenue N., 2500 26th Avenue S., 4015 Dr. MLK Jr. Street S., or 2453 20th Avenue N.

Tarpon Springs: Drop off at the Yard Waste facility at 898 South. Levis Avenue for a fee, or put out for curbside collection with yard waste on regular day. For information, call (727) 943-4837.

Treasure Island: Curbside collection with yard waste on regular day. For information, call (727) 547-4575.

The following Pinellas County cities do not offer Christmas tree recycling: Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Seminole, South Pasadena and St. Pete Beach. Your tree will be picked up at curbside, but it will not be recycled.

Residents of cities that do not offer tree recycling or people living in unincorporated Pinellas can recycle a tree by dropping it off at Pinellas County Solid Waste Operations, 3095 114th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. The cost is $3 per load (maximum of five trees).

The center's hours are Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For recycling information in Pinellas County, contact Solid Waste Operations at (727) 464-7500, or visit www.pinellascounty.org/utilities .