Here’s how to recycle your Christmas tree in Delaware

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Sending Christmas trees to landfills can lead to climate warming methane emissions. However, real holiday trees can be recycled into mulch for gardens.

On Jan. 4, Delaware residents can bring their trees to the “TreeCycle” event at the Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington, where they will be transformed into wood chips and mulch.

The organic material, created with the help of Davey Tree Expert Company, will be used throughout the Center’s gardens, and at community gardens and public landscapes across Wilmington.

“The last thing we want to do is see trees end up in the landfill. We can certainly repurpose them,” said Mike Holleran, assistant district manager of the Davey Tree Expert Company’s Wilmington branch.

“We’re filling multiple trucks up from the whole event. Every tree isn’t a tremendous amount, but when you add them all together, it makes a very good dent and a big pile of mulch.”

All ornaments, garland, lights and stands must be removed before trees can be recycled. Artificial trees are not accepted. Those bringing trees are encouraged to donate $20 to benefit the center’s community forestry efforts.

People can also take their trees to numerous yard waste collection sites across the state, where they will be turned into mulch or compost.