OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The process is pretty quick. Pull up, grab the old Christmas tree and toss it in the pile.
"I think it's a great service the city provides, Omaha resident Zack Warner said. "It's a good option getting rid of Christmas trees after the season has passed."
The City's holiday disposal sights are pretty popular, too.
According to Recycling Coordinator Matt O'Connell, last year they received close to 150 tons of trees, costing tax payers about $19,900 dollars to dispose.
"We like to see the trees go to a beneficial use, not become trash or get dumped illegally," O'Connell said.
There are a few things resident should know to prepare their tree for disposal.
Remove nails, wires, decorations, plastic bags and tree stand.
If these steps are not taken, O'Connell says it can create problems in the grinding process when the trees are recycled.
"The compost is a soil amendment. It's mixed with other material, leaves and other things that are collected from yard waste," O'Connell said. "It's mixed together and then processed into a growing medium."
O'Connell adds the City will have the drop-off locations available until January 8. Anything disposed after that date could result in a penalty.
"The sights are open during daylight hours until January 8th," O'Connell said. "After that, any trees that are dumped at any of the drop-off sights are considered illegal dumping and can face up to a $500 dollar fine."
He reminds residents to throw the tree on top of the pile to allow space for traffic.
Below is a list of all possible drop of locations:
Tranquility Park
- 120th Street & West Maple Road. North lot of soccer complex.
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Northwest corner of parking lot, near intersection of Bob Gibson Drive and South 13th Street..
- Orchard Park
66th Street North of Hartman Ave. 57 blocks North of Dodge Street.
- F Street Football Field
F Street East of 156th Street. Parking lot east of field.
- Ta Ha Zouka Park
20801 Elkhorn Drive. Parking lot behind the Chamber of Commerce.
- Kelly West Park
87th Street & Park View Boulevard.
- Wehrspann Lake Wildlife Management Area
Highway 370, between I-80 and 168th Street. Wildlife Management Area south parking lot.
- Bellevue Old Sarpy County Landfill
- Papillion Senior Center
- Papio Bay Aquatic Park Parking Lot
- Walnut Creek Connector Trail
Schram Road and Creek Side Drive (west of 96th Street)
- LaVista Sports Complex
66th Street, 2 blocks South of Harrison Street
- Pierson/Orval Ballfields
Woodlawn Avenue and Park Drive
- Hughes Mulch Products
3211 Keystone Drive. This site open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday Only
