The holiday season is coming to an end, which means over the course of the next few weeks our Christmas trees will be coming down. Fortunately, residents of Gunnison have a convenient and sustainable option to dispose of their live holiday trees – through the town's Christmas tree recycling program.
For Gunnison town residents, the process is as simple as placing your Christmas tree out with your normal refuse for pick up. This collection service takes place January 5th, January 19th and February 2nd, making it easy for you to seamlessly transition from the holiday season to the new year without worrying about the environmental impact of your festive decor.
But what about those living outside the city limits? Fear not! County residents can drop off their Christmas trees at the Tree Dump located at 137 County Road 51. Just place your tree off to the left side of the gate, ensuring it doesn't block access. Click here for directions. For additional information or inquiries, call 970-641-8020.
For those closer to the north end of the valley, don't miss the 12th Night Bonfire & Tree Recycling. Bring your Christmas trees to the 4-Way parking lot on January 6th between the hours of 9am and 6pm and drop it off for a $10 donation. Or, stick around for the tree bonfire which starts at 5:30 with the last tree being placed on the fire at 7:30. Leftover trees will be chipped and mulched courtesy of Mountain Tree Scapes and recycled into compost at the Town of Crested Butte Wastewater plant. Click here for more information on the 12th Night Bonfire.
By recycling your Christmas tree, you play a crucial role in reducing the amount of material that ends up in landfills. This, in turn, helps minimize the environmental impact associated with waste disposal. The town of Gunnison's initiative to collect and recycle Christmas trees showcases a commitment to sustainability, and as responsible citizens, we should embrace and support such programs.
Once recycled, your Christmas tree can be transformed into valuable resources such as compost, mulch, or wood chips. These materials have various applications, from enriching soil in community gardens to providing landscaping benefits.
You can find additional information on recycling Christmas trees here.