Turn holiday cheer into trail mulch with Christmas tree recycling from Dec. 26 to Jan. 26, 2025
Wake County residents can continue in the spirit of giving by donating live Christmas trees to the Happy Trails Christmas Tree Recycling Program. Through the program, trees are turned into mulch that will fortify and beautify park trails around the county. There are eight convenient drop-off locations accepting trees from Dec. 26, 2024, until Jan. 26, 2025.
“After more than a decade, the Happy Trails Program continues to be one of our most successful recycling initiatives,” said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. “By turning live Christmas trees into mulch, we’re not only reducing waste but also enhancing the beauty and sustainability of our park trails. It’s a wonderful way for our community to give back during the holiday season and beyond.”
Last year, 4,400 trees were dropped off and turned into 95 tons of mulch for the parks trails – enough trees to match the average tonnage of a blue whale or 13 African elephants!
There is no charge to recycle a tree, but all decorations should be removed before dropping off at any of the park or recycling locations below.
The following Wake County solid waste convenience centers are open for tree drop-offs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week:
- Site 1 – 10505 Old Stage Road, Garner
- Site 2 – 6120 Old Smithfield Road, Apex
- Site 4 – 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road, Raleigh
- Site 11 – 5051 Wendell Blvd./U.S. 64 Business, Wendell
Additionally, the following Wake County parks will accept trees from 8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week:
- Green Hills County Park – 9300 Deponie Drive, Raleigh
- Blue Jay Point County Park – 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh
- Harris Lake County Park – 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill
- Lake Crabtree County Park – 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville
Please note that all park and waste/recycling facilities will be closed:
- Tuesday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve
- Wednesday, Dec. 25, for Christmas Day
- Wednesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day
Since 2012, the Happy Trails program has collected more than 55,789 trees and produced about 1073 tons of nutrient-rich, aroma-filled mulch to spruce up Wake County Park trails.
The program is a partnership between Wake County’s Solid Waste Management Division and the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department.
For more information, contact Solid Waste Program Manager Meghan Baldwin at Meghan.Baldwin@wake.gov or 919-856-5698, or Blue Jay Point County Park Manager Ben Wittenberg at ben.wittenberg@wake.gov or 919-870-4329.
About Wake County Solid Waste Management
The Wake County Solid Waste Management Division provides waste disposal and recycling services to residents and businesses in Wake County. The division manages 17 waste facilities including a landfill, waste transfer station, residential waste and recycling convenience centers, household hazardous waste and multi-material recycling drop-off facilities.
To learn more, visit wake.gov/recycling.
About Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division preserves open space, promotes stewardship and provides equitable and inclusive education and outdoor recreation for a diverse and growing community. In 2023, more than 1.7 million people visited Wake County’s 11 parks and nature preserves.
