Now that Christmas is over Lincoln Transportation and Utilities have several programs available to the public to recycle Christmas trees and lights through the middle of January. The city, Boy Scout Troop 8 and the Recycle Holiday Lights Drive are the three primary ways residents can dispose of their Christmas remains.
The city of Lincoln will provide drop-off sites for Christmas trees from Dec. 25 to Jan. 16. The drop-off sites are as follows:
- Ballard Park, 3901 North 66th St
- Holmes Lake Park, South 70th and Normal streets, parking lot west of north softball field
- Oak Lake Park, three blocks south of Cornhusker on North 1st St
- Tierra Park, South 29th St and Tierra Dr
- Seng Park at University Place, North 50th and Garland streets
- Woods Park, South 31st and J streets, southeast corner of the parking lot
All decorations, tinsel, lights, skirts, disposal bags, and stands must be removed from the trees.
Additionally, Boy Scout Troop 8 will provide a pickup service for trees on Jan. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 14. Visit the program’s official website or call 402-965-1458 to schedule a pickup. Any trees to be picked up should be on the front lawn by 9 AM on the designated day. The service is free, but donations are welcome.
Finally, the 10th annual Recycle Holiday Lights Drive is up and running from now until Jan. 10. With this program, the community can dispose of their Christmas lights, and a portion of money raised from the copper extracted from them will go toward Eastridge Elementary PTO, the Lincoln Firefighters Operation Warm, and the Lincoln Public Schools Science Focus Program Booster Club. Those wishing to make use of this program may drop their lights off at the following locations:
- Eastridge Elementary School parking lot, 6245 L St – southwest side of the building near the playground
- Lincoln Children’s Zoo overflow parking lot, 2847 A St – across A Street south of the zoo
- Lincoln Fire and Rescue Stations (except Station 8) – See list of locations
The Recycle Holiday Lights Drive does not accept any boxes, brown paper or plastic bags, ornaments, artificial trees or household waste. Lights attached to garland and wreaths are only accepted in the Eastridge Elementary parking lot and should be placed in boxes next to the collection bin. Visit scrapcentralrecycling.com/light-drive for more information.
Those unable to use these programs should contact their refuse haulers for further information on getting rid of Christmas trees and lights. The Solid Waste Management Division reminds residents that lights must not be placed in curbside recycling bins or deposited at community recycling sites. See more information on the city’s recycling program or call the Recycling Hotline at 402-441-8215 for more information.