How to Dispose of a Christmas Tree (Real or Artificial) in Solon

SOLON, OH - Now that Christmas is over and the countdown to the end of 2016 is on, you probably want to know how to get rid of that dead tree in your house. Luckily, the City of Solon has clear, easy-to-follow guidelines on how to get rid of your Christmas tree.

First, strip your tree down to its natural condition (meaning take your lights and decorations off) and then drag it to the curb. The city will not collect your tree if it still has any accoutrements remaining on it, including tree stands or plastic bags. Make sure your old, dead tree is spotless. Artificial trees will also be collected and discarded.

Collection of trees, real or fake, will begin after New Year's Day. So expect collection crews around Jan. 3, 2017. However, the city said on its Facebook page that your tree may not be collected on your regularly scheduled rubbish collection day, so be patient. Crews will make one complete pass through Solon to collect any tree that has been placed outside, on the curb, for collection.

If you've gone through the process of stripping your tree bare, and you're now holding dozens of useless Christmas lights (easily destroyed by curious pets), worry not. You can recycle those lights at the Solon Service Department, 6600 Cochran Road. That facility is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, there is a recycling bin specifically for Christmas lights.

If you have pine wreaths, with wires, you can place those in your automated solid waste cart.

The city asks that you contact the Solon Service Department at 440 248 5834 with any questions that you may have.

Going Eco-Friendly

According to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, nearly 10 million Christmas trees end up in landfills each year. That's a lot of Blue Spruces. If you're feeling a pang of guilt about contributing to the buildup of conifers, you can still do your part to help the environment. Before you try and stuff your tree into the recycling bin (it won't fit, we tried), know that some local farms will accept your Christmas tree as a recyclable donation. Why do they do that? Because they can use the tree as animal feed.

Which is why, if you're donating your tree for that reason, you should double and triple check to make sure you rid that Scotch Pine of every last tinsel and ornament you placed there for the season. You don't want Black Beauty choking on that handmade ornament your nephew made you.

If you want to be as eco-friendly as possible, here are a list of farms that will take your Christmas trees as animal feed. You can find that list here.

Photo from Patch Files