Recycle your Christmas tree into goat food or wood chips for playgrounds at these local orgs

Your once-glorious live Christmas tree is likely starting to lose its magic. While still covered in sparkling lights and ornaments, the beginnings of brown and bald spots may be appearing. Your floor is filled with needles. And you know it’s time to say goodbye.

Tossing your tree — the last symbol of holiday cheer — is never an easy or fun task. But you can make it a tradition that benefits others, and in return, perhaps brings you a little post-holiday joy. How? Repurpose or recycle your tree.

While most municipalities, including Philadelphia, will pick up your tree with your curbside trash, there are ways to put it to better use, such as feeding it to goats and helping preserve Jersey Shore parks. Here’s where to recycle your tree in the area.

Furry friends at the Philly Goat Project are ready to munch on your holiday leftovers. The community-based program is hosting tree-cycling on Jan. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. (Rain date: Jan. 11) at the Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh St., Philadelphia 19138. On Jan. 17, trees will be accepted from noon to 3 p.m. (no rain date) at Laurel Hill West Cemetery, 215 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, 19004. The final event will be at the Awbury Arboretum on Jan. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. (Rain date: Jan. 25)

At the Awbury Arboretum, it’s not just a tree drop-off, either. Get cozy by the fire pit with free hot cocoa or enjoy goat cuddles — awesome for the whole family. A suggested donation of $20 per tree is requested. All proceeds support the Philly Goat Project’s free year-round programming, like goat walks and children’s literacy events. PGP can provide a tax receipt.

🕑 Jan. 10 and 24, noon-3 p.m., 📍 6336 Ardleigh St.; Jan. 17, from noon to 3 p.m.,📍 225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, 📞 ‪215-703-8057, 🌐 phillygoatproject.org, 📷 @phillygoatproject

Recycle your Christmas tree at one of several locations in Ocean County through Jan. 31. Locations can be found here. Your tree will get turned into woodchips and used for landscaping projects at park facilities. Recycled trees have also been used to line sand dunes to help prevent erosion, which has become more common as development increases. Drop-off times are Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

🕑 Through Jan. 31, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 📍 Multiple locations, 🌐 co.ocean.nj.us

For the 37th year, the Streets Department will be accepting Christmas trees for recycling for two weeks, from Jan. 5 through Jan. 17. While the program is running, you may bring your Christmas tree to one of several designated locations or to a sanitation convenience center at no cost. All trees should be untied and free of decorations, lights, and ornaments.

Drop off trees at any Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Center, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

You can also drop off a tree at a city-designated location. Find these locations by going to https://www.phila.gov/services/trash-recycling-city-upkeep/dispose-of-christmas-trees/

Neighborhood associations and community groups host tree-cycling events throughout Philadelphia, including:

Too busy to deliver your tree yourself?

Circle Compost offers $20 curbside pickup on the weekends for the following dates: Jan. 3-4, Jan. 10-11, and Jan. 17-18. Sign up online, and put your tree outside your house the night before pickup. Pickup days will be assigned two days in advance. Maximum tree height allowed is 14 feet. Trees are turned into woodchips to be used as mulch or compost for Philly’s nonprofit urban farms. Questions? Call 267-388-1493 or visit circlecompost.com. To sign up for pickup, visit accounts.circlecompost.com/shop/christmas-tree

Bennett Compost will pick up your tree on the weekends of Dec. 28-29, Jan. 3-4, Jan. 10-11, or Jan. 17-18 for a fee of $20. Sign up online. Trees will either be taken to the Fishtown Neighbors Association site where Bennet Compost will donate $5 to them on your behalf. Trees that can’t go to the tree-cyclers will be chipped at Bennet Compost and used in its composting process. Questions? Call 215-520-2406 or visit bennettcompost.com. To sign up for pickup, visit bennettcompost.com/seasonal.

This article has been updated since it first published. Grace Dickinson and Steven White contributed to this article.