December 19, 2018
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Alan Wilcom, Chief, Recycling Division, Department of Public Works, 410-313-6444
Recycle trees at garden centers, parks and the landfill
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Government is offering residents a variety of FREE holiday tree recycling options through the County’s “Merry Mulch” program. Since 1993, the Merry Mulch program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment. All collected trees are delivered to the Composting Facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycled into compost and mulch.
Beginning Wednesday, December 26th and continuing through Saturday, January 19th, holiday trees may be recycled seven days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the drop-off sites listed below. One exception to the above days and times is the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Look for Merry Mulch signs at the following drop-off sites:
- Clarksville: Kendall Hardware, 12260 Clarksville Pike
- Columbia: Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane
- Elkridge: Rockburn Branch Park (East), 5400 Landing Road
- Ellicott City: Small Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive (just past Ellicott Mills Drive, on the right)
- Highland: Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road
- Marriottsville: Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road (open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Savage: Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street
- Woodbine: Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road
Howard County residents with curbside yard trim collection may set their holiday trees out on their yard trim day for collection through Friday, January 18th. Trees will not be picked up on trash collection days during this time for residents with yard trim collection. All decorations, including tinsel, garland, ornaments, lights, tree stands, plastic bags, etc. must be removed. Trees must also be cut into less than four foot lengths and tied; they should not be bagged. Each bundle must weigh less than 40 pounds. Residents are reminded to set their tree out the night before their collection day. Trees will be picked up on your collection day, between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by the yard trim truck. Residents are reminded that artificial trees cannot be placed in the blue carts for curbside recycling. Artificial holiday trees and wreaths with metal components can be recycled year-round in the scrap metal area at the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents’ Convenience Area.
After January 19th, when the sites listed above are no longer accepting holiday trees and curbside yard trim collection is no longer offered, residents may continue to bring their holiday trees to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area – open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please, no plastic bags. Additionally, after January 19th, trees will be collected as trash if put out on trash day.