Residents in Central Virginia can recycle their real Christmas trees at no cost through programs offered by localities in partnership with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

Trees must be free of ornaments, lights, tinsel and stands. Recycled trees are chipped into mulch that can be reused in landscaping or placed outside as wildlife habitat. Programs are open only to residents of the sponsoring locality. A full list of sites is available at cvwma.com. 

In Ashland, town crews will collect trees set at the curb. In Chesterfield, trees can be dropped off at the Northern Area Convenience Center at 3200 Warbro Road or the Southern Area Convenience Center at 6700 Landfill Road (off Route 10) from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both locations close at noon Dec. 31 and are closed Jan. 1. 

In Colonial Heights, residents can take trees to the Recycling Center at 2701 Conduit Road (behind Sheetz) on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.). Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

Goochland County residents can drop off trees at the Central Convenience Center on Route 632 near Route 522, 1908 Hidden Rock Lane, or at the Western Convenience Center at 3455 Hadensville-Fife Road (Route 606) through Jan. 31, daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop-off is free through Jan. 31. 

In Hanover, trees can be taken to the Mechanicsville Convenience Center at 7427 Verdi Lane from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except holidays. 

Henrico residents can recycle trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 9 at the Springfield Road Landfill Public Use Area at 10600 Fords Country Lane, the Charles City Road Landfill Public Use Area at 2075 Charles City Road, the front parking lot of the Eastern Henrico Government Center at 3820 Nine Mile Road or the lower parking lot of the Western Henrico Government Center at 4301 E. Parham Road. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except holidays.