Now that the excitement of the holiday season is over, area residents are facing the chore of putting away their decorations and disposing of their fresh cut Christmas trees.
Residents in all 35 communities served by the Mid Michigan Waste Authority can put their fresh Christmas trees to the curb by 7 am on their regular trash day throughout the month of January.
Residents do not need to remove ornaments, tinsel, garland or other decorative items, and trees can be put to the curb with or without a tree bag.
Trees that are frozen to the ground or covered with snow will not be collected until they can be safely accessed by the driver. Large or heavy trees may have to be picked up by the bulk truck, and in those cases, trees will be collected within two days of the resident’s regular service day.
The service applies only to real Christmas trees that have been used as indoor holiday décor. State law prohibits yard waste and vegetation from being disposed of in the landfill; however, the ban does not apply to Christmas trees.
Residents who would like to dispose of unwanted Christmas tree lights can take part in the MMWA Holiday Light Recycling Drive, which runs through Jan. 15, 2017. Lights may be dropped off at several locations throughout Saginaw County:
207 W Broad St, Chesaning
6206 Dixie Highway, Bridgeport
1311 N Michigan Ave, Saginaw
715 N Euclid Ave, Bay City
6060 Swan Creek Rd, Saginaw
5851 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw
2063 S Miller Rd, Saginaw
1180 N Hemlock Rd, Hemlock
4870 Shattuck Rd, Saginaw
110 W Spruce St, St. Charles
8215 Shields Dr., Saginaw
(during Freeland Light Show)
9200 Midland Rd, Freeland
319 Tittabawassee Rd., Saginaw
Residents with large quantities of lights are encouraged to drop them off at MMWA, 2063 S Miller Rd, Saginaw.
Rifkin Scrap Iron and Metal Co. is providing a rebate for the lights, with proceeds benefitting the CAN Council.
For more information about Christmas tree collection or the holiday light drive, please call (989) 781-9555.
Mid Michigan Waste Authority is a government entity providing comprehensive residential solid waste services to 70,000 households in 35 communities across the Saginaw Valley area.