“Tree waste is actually banned from your garbage,” said Maggie Yauk, from Anoka County Recycling and Solutions. “So I always tell everyone to bring it to a compost site anyway.”
In the US there are approximately 25 to 30 million Christmas trees sold each year and in Anoka County disposing of a tree is easy peasy.
“This is a great cost-effective option for people that do not want to have to pay to get rid of their Christmas tree after the holidays,” Yauk said. “It doesn’t cost anything for Anoka County residents to drop off their Christmas tree at either of the county compost sites.”
The Bunker Hills site is located at 13285 Hanson Boulevard NW in Coon Rapids. The Rice Creek site is at 7701 Main Street in Lino Lakes.
“Good for the earth too”
When a Christmas tree is composted its carbon footprint is reduced.
However, an estimated 10 million Christmas trees wind up in a landfill each season. When that happens the tree’s carbon footprint is higher – which is why the county wants residents to bring them to a composting site.
“It’s maybe 5 to 10 minutes to come drop off your tree,” Yauk said. “No big deal right? Good for the earth too.”
Anoka County’s two compost spots are open in the winter on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
“At either of the sites you’ll drive in and then you’ll head into the check-in station,” Yauk said. “Then they’ll check your id to make sure you’re a resident and then they’ll direct you to which pile to drop off your Christmas tree at.”
For more information about Anoka County compost sites go to AnokaCountyMN.gov/yardwaste. Or call their office at (763) 324-3400.
