We already know NC slays the Christmas tree game, and whether you take yours down directly after Yuletide or you admire it until March (no judgement), there comes a time when you have to part ways with ye olde Tannenbaum. Then what? Seeing as how I’m into reusing + repurposing as much as possible, I thought it would be a good time to look into how + why you may want to consider recycling your cut tree this year (artificial trees cannot be recycled).

First and foremost, things that don’t get recycled go somewhere, and that place is typically the landfill. DYK that the US creates over 267 million tons of trash a year? As if that’s not shocking enough, only about a third of that waste is recycled or composted. A little over 12 percent is incinerated, and the 55 percent that’s left goes to the landfill. Within the city limits of Asheville alone, roughly 10,000 tons of brush + leaves are collected each year.

The good news? Recycling your tree is pretty simple + easy in the 828.

Residents who live within the city limits can break down their trees and leave limbs, bagged leaves + errant trimmings at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday of your pickup week. Find your schedule here. You can also simply leave your tree (sans stands, ornaments + lights) at the curb for regular brush collection. You also have the option to drop your tree off for recycling at a private yard waste facility or the Buncombe County Landfill (85 Panther Branch Rd.), where trees are turned into mulch.

Are you especially crafty? You may want to consider making a natural bird feeder with your old Christmas tree. Discarded Christmas tree trunks, branches, and needles can be used to protect perennial beds and tree nursery rows from winter freezes, as well as edging a garden. You can also use them to create cool DIY projects like log coasters, wreaths, or potpourri.

Whether you’re an old hat at recycling your Christmas tree or this is your first go, it’s a tree-mendously beneficial thing to do for the environment. PS: You can also hit up MountainTrue’s yearly Christmas tree recycling event on Sat., Jan 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hendersonville’s Jackson Park. Bring your tree, wreaths, broken lights + greeting cards to Field No. 6, where they’ll be mulched or recycled. Make sure your tree and wreaths are stripped of all decorations + lights. Bonus: They’ll have free mulch to go for your gardening projects.