AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin has been recycling holiday trees for over thirty years. Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) encourages the community to give their holiday trees another life by repurposing them into mulch or compost. Beginning December 26, 2024, City of Austin curbside customers can place all-natural holiday trees curbside to be collected on their regularly scheduled composting collection day.   
 
Only all-natural trees are accepted. If being recycled curbside, trees should be set out by 5:30 a.m. All ornaments, decorations (including tinsel), lights and tree stands must be removed, and trees six feet or taller should be cut in half. Trees sprayed with flocking are not accepted and trees should not be placed in plastic bags. 
 
All-natural trees can also be dropped off at Zilker Park for recycling. All Austinites are invited to the 38th Annual Holiday Tree Recycling events, hosted by Austin Parks and Recreation and ARR, at Zilker Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days:

Trees collected at Zilker Park will be turned into mulch. The mulch will be available for free on a first-come, first-served basis beginning January 8 at 9 a.m. (date and time subject to change due to weather).  

For more information about holiday tree recycling, mulch availability or a list of alternative drop-off locations visit austintexas.gov/treerecycling.