Christmas Tree Composting

Curbside Composting for Natural Christmas Trees

When the holiday season ends, there are several eco-friendly ways to dispose of your Christmas tree.

1. Help us turn your holiday tree into nutrient-rich compost for our community! From January 5, 2026, through February 9, 2026, the City of Charleston offers free curbside collection of natural trees, wreaths, and garlands on your scheduled yard debris day.

   To ensure successful collection and composting, please follow these tips:

   • Remove ALL Decorations: Trees must be completely clean. No lights, ornaments, tinsel, metal/plastic ties, or wreath frames.

   • Place Properly at Curb: Set trees curbside where collection equipment can easily reach them. Smaller items, such as wreaths, can be placed in paper yard debris bags.

   • Separate Piles: Keep your natural, clean items in a separate pile from artificial trees, trash, or other waste.

2. By participating, you help reduce holiday waste and create valuable compost.

Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are a more eco-friendly choice.  Small-scale Christmas tree farms are often sustainable, with sections harvested annually while others are preserved for new growth. Growing an average-sized tree takes about 7 years, during which they absorb carbon and use 10x fewer resources than artificial trees. For every tree cut down, 1 to 3 new seedling trees are planted, as per the Association of Christmas Tree Growers.

Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

• Real Trees:

  • Eco-Friendly: Sustainably farmed trees are often replanted (1–3 seedlings per harvested tree) and sequester carbon while growing.
  • Low Carbon Footprint: Properly composted real trees emit 0–3.5 kg CO2. However, sending them to landfills raises this to 16 kg.
  • Pro Tip: Replant your real tree for a negative carbon footprint!

• Artificial Trees:

  • High Resource Use: Made from plastic derived from crude oil, with a carbon cost of ~40 kg CO2 per tree.
  • Longevity Needed: To be as eco-friendly as real trees, artificial trees must be reused for over 12 years.
  • Disposal Tips: Artificial trees cannot be composted. Dispose of them with trash and avoid mixing them with live tree collections.

Extra Tips for a Sustainable Holiday

• Consider buying a live tree with roots intact to replant after the holidays. December is the perfect time to plant trees in South Carolina, (and when we celebrate Arbor Day), as the cooler months help roots establish before summer heat.
• If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, plant a new tree to offset your holiday impact.

By choosing the right option, you can ensure your Christmas tree continues to give back to the environment!