Last year, the City collected 160 natural Christmas trees to be recycled.
Two ways to recycle holiday greenery into mulch
COVINGTON, Ky. – When “how lovely are your branches” morphs into “get that dead thing out of the living room,” tossing your natural Christmas tree into the trash isn’t the only option. It’s not the best option either.
Instead, recycle it into mulch … and we can help with that.
The City of Covington is offering residents both pick-up and drop-off options during the 8th annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program.
“We would rather turn these trees into usable mulch than take up space in landfills, so we’re making it as easy as possible,” said Sheila Fields, the City’s Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator. “We’re looking to increase the number of trees over last year by a significant margin.”
Residents have two options:
One: Arrange to have their tree picked up on regular trash collection days by calling Rumpke Waste & Recycling at (800) 828-8171 at least 48 hours in advance. This option starts Jan. 4 and lasts until Jan. 18.
Two, Drop off trees from Saturday through Jan. 18 at three different locations:
- In South Covington at the parking lot at Tripoli and Hands Pike, adjacent to Neighborhood Park.
- At the Urban Forestry Garage at 1700 Montague Road in Devou Park.
- In the parking lot at 14 Pete Rose Pier, which is the foot of Bakewell Street on the north side of the Ohio River floodwall.
Residents should prepare their trees by removing all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and other decorations. Trees should not be placed in plastic bags.
Fields’ division is partnering with the Department of Public Works’ Urban Forestry Division, Rumpke, and Keep Covington Beautiful on the recycling initiative.
The recycled trees will be converted into mulch, which will be used by the Urban Forestry Division and offered to residents and neighborhood groups for community gardens and neighborhood beautification efforts. To schedule a mulch pickup, email Cassandra Homan with Urban Forestry at
Cassandra.homan@covingtonky.gov.
Last year, 160 trees were recycled.
Call (859) 292-4417 with questions about drop-off and pick-up. Call (859) 292-2292 with questions about the mulch program.
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