OCEAN CITY, MD - Delmarva residents are bidding farewell to their real Christmas trees in a tradition that marks the transition from holiday festivities to the new year. Much like baking cookies or watching Christmas movies, recycling Christmas trees has become a steadfast practice for some in the community.
Across the Delmarva Peninsula, real Christmas trees are finding new purpose at designated drop-off sites. One such location is the 100th St Municipal Lot in Ocean City, where residents like Guy Banks are partaking in this eco-friendly tradition. Others opt for landfill sites, such as Worcester County's, to responsibly dispose of their holiday adornments.
Guy Banks, while dropping off his tree on Friday in Ocean City, expressed the practicality of the tradition. "Because it was starting to make a mess, the needles were falling, just cleaning out the living room. It just makes it look bigger," Banks shared as he embraced the annual ritual.
Observing the pile of trees before his, Banks remarked, "I'm surprised. I figured this would be the first one here, but obviously it's not."
For Tom Slater, the idea of celebrating the holidays without a real tree is unimaginable. "As a kid, we always had real trees. You can't beat their smell, you can't beat the journey to go out and get them, and of course, you recycle," Slater emphasized the sentimental value attached to having a real Christmas tree.
Despite not dropping off his tree at the landfill on Friday, Slater affirmed that ringing in the new year wouldn't be the same without the presence of a real tree. He plans to recycle his tree around January 14th, ensuring a prolonged celebration of the holiday spirit through responsible environmental practices.
For places to recycle your tree near you, click here.