Christmas Trees - Household Waste Guide

Trees can again be recycled for free at the Holiday Inn downtown Grand Rapids on Pearl Street from through Dec. 30, during business hours. Residents can toss the trees into a large waste container on the east side of the hotel parking ramp. The trees will be processed into mulch by Spurt Industries.

If you miss the Holiday Inn window, the city of Grand Rapids maintains multiple drop-off locations, and some townships and municipalities around Kent and Ottawa counties are accepting trees from their residents as well. Most tree recycling centers just ask that you remove all the lights, ornaments and tinsel, which could interfere with the wood chippers. Most municipal drop off locations are open to residents only and some may require proof of residency.

In Grand Rapids, drop off locations include the north entrance of Riverside Park at 2001 Monroe Ave. NE, and JC Family Park, 2531 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. City refuse crews will pick up tagged trees from the curb in January.

In East Grand Rapids, Christmas trees may be placed out for collection by utility crews from Monday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 13.

In Plainfield Township, tree drop-off takes place Dec. 26 though Jan. 29 at Versluis Park, 6161 Belmont Ave. NE.

In Ada Township, residents can drop off trees at the Ada Township Park back parking lot, 1180 Buttrick Ave. SE, until Monday, Jan. 13.

In Kentwood, residents can drop-off Dec. 26 to Jan. 31. Bring trees to the Department of Public Works, 5608 Breton Ave. SE during business hours.

In Wyoming, residents can drop off trees at the city Public Service Center, 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW during the day on Saturdays, Dec. 31, Jan. 7 and Jan. 14.

In Walker, city residents can drop off trees in three locations between today and Jan. 23: City Hall, 4243 Remembrance Road NW, Walker Community Park, 650 Cummings Ave. NW, and Fire Station No. 3, 1470 Three Mile Road NW.

In Grandville, tree drop-off is available behind the Public Works Building at 4095 White St., Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The gate will also be opened on Saturday (January only) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Lowell, bring your tree to the Wittenbach Wege Center (11715 Vergennes) before 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 8th to be shredded and used for mulch around the Center. Please do not bring out any items that contain wire such as wreaths or garland as we do not have the ability to remove the wire. No trees will be accepted after 12:00 noon January 8th. For more information, call 616-987-2565.

Last updated December 27, 2011:

Excerpt from article in Grand Rapids Press:
Tired of your Christmas tree already? Here's where you can recycle it.