Ask the Mayor: Where Can I Recycle My Christmas Tree?

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High Street, 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Christmas tree recycling services are available in Maui County.

Dear Mayor Arakawa,

Q: Where can I find information about recycling my Christmas tree? I’d like it to get composted instead of just throwing it away, but am not sure how that works.

A: There are a number of options for recycling your tree, but the main thing to remember is that you’ll need to remove any and all decorations, including tinsel, from the tree before recycling it.

If you’re able to drop the tree off yourself, you can take it to the following locations: EKO Compost, Central Maui Landfill (ph. 572-8844); Olowalu Convenience Center (ph. 242-7999); Hāna Landfill (ph. 264-6313); Kīhei Compost, call for fees (ph. 874-0899); Lāna‘i Landfill (ph. 559-0689); Pawn’s Tree & Trimming, Molokaʻi Landfill (ph. 553-8073).

If you’d prefer to have your tree picked up, there are a few non-profits that will do so for a donation, including curbside Christmas tree pickups by the Rotary Club of Upcountry Maui. Pickup service will be available for Pāʻia, Haikū, Makawao, Pukalani and Kula residents on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, from 8 a.m. to noon; call 878-2177 to schedule a pickup.

A $10 donation is requested for small and medium trees, and a minimum donation of $20 per large tree is requested to help support the club’s community projects.

Additionally, Boy Scout Troop 22 will be picking up trees on Saturday, Dec. 31st for a $10 donation for any size tree. Text your name, address and phone number to cell: (808) 283-5622; deadline to reserve pickup is Dec. 30.