Discover the Best Spots to Dispose Your Christmas Tree in Maricopa!

A tree sits at the city’s drop-off area near Plainview Street and Cesar Chavez Lane on January 3, 2025. With the holiday season over, residents of Maricopa are reminded to dispose of their Christmas trees promptly to prevent potential fire hazards.

The City of Maricopa has set up two designated sites for free Christmas tree disposal, available until January 13. This initiative aims to reduce waste in landfills while providing a practical solution for tree disposal.

Located in the Heritage District, the drop-off locations are easily identified by signage, cones, and caution tape. One site is positioned at the intersection of Plainview Street and Cesar Chavez Lane, while the other can be found at Wilson and Garvey Avenues.

Residents are encouraged to prepare their trees before dropping them off. All decorations, including lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand, must be removed. Only live trees will be accepted at these facilities.

At the moment, the drop-off site on Plainview Street hosts a single tree, with expectations that more will be added as the holiday season fades from memory.

Once the January 13 deadline passes, questions arise about the fate of the collected trees. In previous years, Maricopa has mulched the trees, distributing the product on a first-come, first-served basis.

While city officials were unreachable for comment, examples from nearby communities reveal various recycling strategies. Chandler, Casa Grande, and Mesa process their trees into nutrient-rich mulch for parks. Phoenix composts trees and wreaths at its facility on 27th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, utilizing the compost in city parks or selling it to local farms.

Furthermore, Gilbert collaborates with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to transform old Christmas trees into fish habitats. These trees are secured to cinder blocks and submerged in Bartlett Lake at specific locations.