Image by Flickr user Jack Amick

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department will be recycling real – not artificial – Christmas trees and turning them into compost for residents to use for gardening this spring.

Here's what you need to know:

Residents can drop off their tree and receive a free bag of compost at the Bees Ferry Landfill (1344 Bees Ferry Road in West Ashley) between January 2nd and 9th. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

All tinsel and ornaments must be removed from the Christmas trees before recycling.

Charleston County residents who live within a municipality can recycle their trees without going to the Bees Ferry Landfill. These residents can put their Christmas tree on the curb for their municipality’s yard waste pick-up or take it to their nearest convenience center. The municipality’s haulers will then take the trees and other yard waste to Charleston County's Bees Ferry Landfill, where it is transformed into compost.

Residents should check with their municipality to find out their yard waste pick-up day and other requirements.

“We strongly encourage residents to dispose of their real Christmas tree in the correct way by recycling it at the County’s compost facility or by putting the tree out at the curb with other yard debris,” said Theresa Martin, a marketing specialist with Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department. “One tree can make roughly 10 to 15 pounds of compost, which is valuable to many people who enjoy gardening in the spring.”