Plano accepts live Christmas trees for recycling through January

Plano is running a short term tree recycling program that began on Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 3, 2026, giving residents three city locations to drop off live Christmas trees and greenery. The effort channels yard waste into the city recycling stream rather than municipal trash, and collected material is processed into Texas Pure Products mulch and compost for use in public landscaping and related programs.

The city has designated Old Shepard Place Park at 1301 Winding Hollow Lane, Russell Creek Park at 3500 McDermott Road and Schell Park at 2305 Laurel Lane as official drop off points. To ensure material can be processed efficiently and safely, trees must be free of ornaments, lights, tinsel, stands and any fake snow or flocking. Items left on trees risk contaminating compost and mulch batches and can slow processing.

For residents this program offers a convenient way to dispose of live trees outside regular municipal waste collection, and it reduces the volume of organic material sent to landfills during the post holiday season. Converted mulch and compost support city landscaping needs and lower demand for commercially sourced soil amendments. Properly prepared drop off also helps the city maintain steady processing operations and avoid additional sorting labor that can increase costs for municipal recycling programs.

Residents who plan to participate should bring trees to one of the three sites within the specified window and follow removal rules to avoid rejection at the drop off. Additional scheduling details and any last minute guidance are available on the city of Plano website. Participation in recurring seasonal programs like this influences local waste management patterns and demonstrates how individual behavior can support municipal sustainability goals.

The short term nature of the program means timing matters. Residents who miss the drop off window should consult the city website for alternatives or future collection schedules as Plano continues to manage yard waste and organic recycling needs into the new year.