How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree In Westford

WESTFORD, MA — So, you want to get rid of your Christmas tree? Firefighters will be collecting Christmas trees as they have been for years. They usually take a couple days in early January to pick up the trees.

Here's how you can get the Westford Firefighters Association to disappear your Christmas tree:

Make sure the trees have all decorations and stands and lights removed.

Call the tree hotline at 978-392-0028 and leave your name, address and which day you would like the tree picked up.

The Westford Firefighters Association asks for $10 per tree to fund scholarships for graduates from Westford Academy and Nashoba Tech.

Other environmentally friendly options:

Find a friend with a wood chipper who can shred your tree for you and turn it into compost or mulch.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. Some local goat farms accept bare tree and wreath donations as they are looking for greens things to eat.

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.

The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has information on Christmas tree recycling at: Christmas tree recycling.

Remove all lights, ornaments, plastic bags and stands. The recycling doesn't work with wreaths that contain metal rims.

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).