If your family opted for a live tree this year, DHEC’s Environmental Affairs team wants to encourage you to recycle that tree once you are done with the holiday festivities.  
 
“Recycling natural Christmas trees is a great way to reduce materials going into landfills and also puts nutrients back into our soil through mulching and composting,” said Marty Lindler, Division Director for Land and Waste Management. “Just make sure to remove all of the lights and decorations before participating in ‘Grinding of the Greens’ to mulch your tree!”   

Several places across the state offer ways for you to recycle your tree:  
–Anderson County will be accepting trees at five locations through Feb. 14, 2022. The trees will be used as fish attractors at Lake Hartwell. For more information, https://bit.ly/3mtlw1e 

–Beaufort County will be accepting trees at four locations starting Dec. 26, 2021. The trees will be turned into mulch. For more details, https://bit.ly/3EnuraC 

–Charleston County and the City of Charleston will have many options for recycling your tree. https://bit.ly/32ptnWF 

–Columbia area residents, including those in Richland and Lexington counties, will be able to recycle trees at many locations between Dec. 26, 2021, and Jan. 7, 2022. Starting Jan. 15, 2022, free mulch from the trees will be available to the public. For more information, call (803) 733-1139, or email info@kmbsc.org. https://bit.ly/3mtmyu8 

–Dorchester County residents living within municipal limits of City of North Charleston or Town of Summerville can place their trees curbside for pick-up as part of their regularly scheduled yard debris removal service. All county residents may take their trees to Miles Road Convenience Site or Sandy Pines Convenience Site. https://bit.ly/3FEDg1n 

–Greenville County’s Grinding of the Greens is available Dec. 26, 2021, through Jan. 15, 2022. The trees will be ground into mulch that will be available free of charge to the public at the Twin Chimneys Landfill. For more information, call (864) 243-9672. https://bit.ly/3mtLf9N 

–Horry County’s program runs Dec. 26, 2021, through Jan. 26, 2022. Mulch will be made available to residents while supplies last. For more information, email info@solidwasteauthority.org or call (843) 347-1651. 

–Spartanburg County residents can drop their trees off at any of the county’s 17 recycling centers and city residents can have their trees picked up as part of normal yard waste.  
 
–Sumter County will accept trees at nine county recycling centers and at the entrance to Dillon Park. Free mulch will be made available afterwards. During the first two weeks of January, City of Sumter residents may place their trees curbside for collection. For more information, call Sumter County Public Works at (803) 436-2241 or City of Sumter Public Works at (803) 436-2558.  
 
Even if not listed here, your county may offer Grinding of the Greens options. Contact your County Recycling Coordinator. Most contact information may be found https://bit.ly/3FouKmJ