How to recycle your Redding, Anderson or Shasta Lake Christmas tree

Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight
·3 min read

That beautiful Christmas tree that smells of pine forests and winter winds looks gorgeous decorated in your living room.

Until it doesn't.

After the presents are unwrapped and the only thing under your tree is a circle of dead needles, it's time to think about best ways to dispose of it.

City garbage services usually include tree disposal services, but with some caveats.

Some departments with drop-off services require proof you're a resident in their coverage area. You may need to bring photo ID and/or a copy of your garbage bill.

Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.

Regardless if you bring a tree to a service or have curbside pickup, to recycle a tree, people must remove all ornaments ― including every one of those pretty but annoying strings of tinsel that love to cling to people's sweaters. Make sure all lights are off the branches and the stand is off the trunk, garbage departments said.

Here are ways to dispose of a Christmas tree in Shasta County.

How to recycle your Christmas tree in Redding

City of Redding customers can have their Christmas tree picked up on their regular pick-up day if they:

  • Chop the tree into pieces no longer than four feet.

  • Put the pieces in their green cart for composting.

  • Set out the cart on pick-up day no later than 5 a.m.

The pieces must fit "loosely" in the cart, the city said.

Redding residents can also opt to bring their tree to the Redding Transfer Station at 2255 Abernathy Lane for free disposal in January. Bring a current copy of your solid waste utility bill or a photo I.D. with a Redding address on it. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. This service isn't available to businesses, according to the city.

Whichever way Redding residents choose to dispose of their tree, they need to cut it into pieces no longer than four feet, the city said.

For more information go to the city’s recycling and solid waste department website or call 530-224-6201.

How to recycle a Christmas tree in Anderson and Shasta Lake

Anderson and Shasta Lake residents can cut up their Christmas tree and put the pieces into the green waste bin. The pieces must fit in the bin for pickup.

The tree’s trunk must be no wider than 10 inches, according to Megan Massey, engineering technician at the Anderson Public Works Department.

For more information Anderson City Hall at 530-378-6626 or public works at 530-378-6660.

How to turn your Christmas tree into electricity

All North State residents are welcome to bring their Christmas trees to Shasta Sustainable Resource Management, formerly called Wheelabrator, at 20811 Industry Road in Anderson.

The company disposes of wood waste and forest residue for electricity, then sells the energy to local utility companies, according to company staff.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.

For more information call 530-339-7600.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Recycle your Shasta County Christmas tree for electricity or compost