Christmas trees are indeed a must-have in the home for those who celebrate the holiday, but once Christmas is over they are an unwanted space in the city landfill and cause pollution when people throughout the county burn them, pushing more carbon monoxide into the ozone.

Ward 3 Councilman Greg Bjelke said the city will once again be collection Christmas trees to recycle, free of charge and free of hassle for anyone who wants to drop them off at one of two locations.

Residents can drop their trees off at the city landfill, 4445 Water Avenue or at the Four Seasons Garden Center on 611 Cahaba Road. The city landfill will begin accepting trees Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day schedule will be the same.

Four Seasons will accept trees Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday Dec. 30 and again on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The trees must have all lights and ornaments removed in order to be mulched.

“It’s a fuzzy good feeling to know that trees are being used again,” Bjelke said. “They can grind them up and use them for mulch and even some fish farms use them for their ponds for breeding periods.”

Bjelke also mentioned that if the trees go to the landfill then they just take up space, which is a problem. He also wants to encourage residents to recycle as much as possible during the holidays because there is higher than normal loads of trash on those days with presents and big meals being served.

“We are about to have all of these boxes sitting on the streets,” Bjelke said. “Please keep the streets clean and recycle.”

Corrugated cardboard can be taken to one of three city recycle locations in Bloch Park, behind Burger King on Highland Avenue and across the street from Washington Street Supermarket on Washington Street.