How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD, MA — If you've lived in Chelmsford for any stretch of time, you may know that Chelmsford doesn't offer curbside Christmas tree removal. So what to do with that tree? For years one local Boy Scout Troop has helped fill the void.

For a suggested donation of $10, Boy Scouts Troop 70 will pick up your Christmas tree and recycle it.

It's become a town tradition here in Chelmsford, one that helps out the local troop, and provides a service where the town was not able to.

It was the end of the 1990s when the state banned municipalities from taking Christmas trees to landfills or burn facilities.

"The town just stopped collecting them and people didn't have a way to get rid of them," said Rich Day who worked for the town for some 37 years before he recently retired.

The town got inundated with phone calls with people asking about what to do with their trees.

Someone at town hall knew Day was active in the scouting world and asked Day if he thought the scouts might be up for helping to get rid of trees for the senior citizens at least - people who might have a more difficult time getting the trees on their cars.

"We said yes and the first year we probably picked up 60-70 trees for the seniors," Day told Patch.

The town came back and asked if they'd be interested in doing it consistently going forward. Every year the number of people asking for help with their trees increased. And every year, the troop members and their parents drive pickups and trailers around from home to home, even when the number in the troop dipped down to a handful. To help fund raise for the troop the boys started asking for a donation of $5. For the past few years they've toyed with raising it to about $10.

"Of course, if someone didn't have the money we'd still take their tree," said Day. But the event - collecting some 600 trees each season in recent years - has become the troop's biggest fundraiser.

When the Boy Scout National re-registration fee went up by more than double, the troop decided to raise their suggested donation. But Day stresses no one will be turned away if they can't pay that.

More than anything, he says, the boys like being able to help out others.

"It's been great for the troop," said Day. "The boys like supplying a service."

Residents can arrange for collection by emailing xmastrees@troopseventy.com, calling 978-764-8377 or filling out a form online to schedule a pick up.
Pick up days this year? Saturday, Dec. 28, Jan. 4, Jan. 5, Jan. 11.

Other environmentally friendly options:

Find a friend with a wood chipper who can shred your tree for you and turn it into compost.

Visit Earth911 and search your ZIP code for places that recycle Christmas trees in the area.

Check with area animal sanctuaries that might want trees for animal life enrichment or food. If you’re feeling crafty, you can turn your tree into coasters or wreaths or ornaments for next year.
If you've got enough room on your property you can always let it decompose on your property and become habitat for some other animal.

Just make sure to remove all the decorations, lights and those stands.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).