Delawareans are encouraged to get in the recycling spirit this holiday season by delivering their Christmas trees to a yard waste drop-off site in New Castle County or to a state park in Kent or Sussex County. Trees, free of ornaments, wire and tinsel, can be dropped off at any of five locations statewide from Sunday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 27, 2011.

New Castle County

• Polly Drummond Hill Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site Hours: Daily; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted. The site is located in the Pike Creek area on Polly Drummond Hill Road, about a ½ mile north of the Kirkwood Highway.
• DART Mid-County Community Yard Waste Demonstration Site Hours: Daily; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise posted. The site is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and Route 72 near Bear. (Turn into the DART facility at 1423 S. Dupont Hwy, Bear.)

Kent County Killens

• Pond State Park 5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset

Sussex County

• Trap Pond State Park 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset
• Cape Henlopen State Park 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes Hours: Daily; 8 a.m. - sunset

All locations accept trees from families only, not from commercial haulers or tree vendors. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal trees stands, must be removed. Signs, designating the location of the drop-off areas at each location, will be posted. To help defray costs, the state parks will accept donations of $2.

DNREC’s tree recycling program will help all Delaware residents comply with the state’s ban on the disposal of yard waste. Approximately 20 percent of all residential waste is composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other landscaped materials. 

For information on yard waste drop-off sites and recycling alternatives, visit DNREC’s website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Yard Waste” or contact Deb Nielsen, 302-739-9403 or Debra.Nielsen@state.de.us .

For more information on the state park tree recycling program, contact Gary Focht, 302-382-4616 or Gary.Focht@state.de.us.