City of Austin Holiday Tree Recycling Returns: How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Support a Greener Austin
Once the holidays wind down across Central Texas, the City of Austin will once again invite residents to turn a seasonal tradition into an environmental win. For nearly 40 years, Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) has offered holiday tree recycling, giving Christmas trees a second life as mulch or compost rather than sending them to a landfill.
Beginning December 26, City of Austin curbside customers can place all-natural holiday trees at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on their regularly scheduled composting collection day. Trees that are six feet or taller should be cut in half before being set out.
The long-running program reflects Austin’s broader sustainability goals and highlights how small household actions can add up to meaningful environmental impact across the community.
Why Recycling Holiday Trees Matters for the Environment
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, organic materials like trees that end up in landfills break down without oxygen and produce methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Recycling natural Christmas trees into mulch or compost helps divert organic waste from landfills while returning nutrients to the soil, improving moisture retention and supporting healthier landscapes.
By participating in holiday tree recycling in Austin, residents help reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more circular approach to waste management—an approach that ARR has been building toward for decades.
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Holiday Tree Recycling Rules in Austin
To ensure trees can be safely processed into mulch or compost, ARR asks residents to follow these guidelines:
- Trees sprayed with flocking (artificial snow) are not accepted
- Remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, lights, and tree stands
- Remove wreaths and garlands from wire frames
- Do not place trees in bags
These steps help protect equipment and ensure the recycled material can be reused safely in parks and landscaping projects.
Zilker Park Drop-Off and Free Mulch Events
In addition to curbside pickup, all Austinites are invited to recycle their natural trees at Zilker Park during the 39th Annual Holiday Tree Recycling events, hosted by Austin Resource Recovery and Austin Parks and Recreation.
Zilker Park Recycling Dates
- Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Trees collected at Zilker Park will be turned into mulch, which will be available free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis starting January 8 at 9 a.m., weather permitting. Free mulch programs like this not only reduce waste but also help residents improve soil health at home without additional cost.
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Austin Resource Recovery and Its Role in the Community
Austin Resource Recovery is a department of the City of Austin that provides essential services to protect both people and the planet. ARR manages recycling, composting, trash collection, large brush and bulk item pickup, household hazardous waste disposal, and street sweeping, while also offering community education and outreach.
As Austin continues to grow, programs like holiday tree recycling reflect a shift away from traditional waste disposal toward sustainable resource recovery—an approach increasingly recommended by environmental agencies nationwide.
For more information about holiday tree recycling, mulch availability, or alternative drop-off locations, residents can visit austintexas.gov/treerecycling.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.