City of Columbia accepting trees with curbside trash

Even though Christmas just ended, a few people might want to get rid of their tree as soon as possible. Starting on Saturday, the city of Columbia will help them do that. Officials say you can put your tree out on the curb as part of your normal trash until the end of the year. You do not have to cut it up, and you do not have to get rid of the decorations.

That will last through January 31. Then normal regulations take effect. If you toss it out curbside, the tree has to be cut in four-foot sections.

Or you can remove the ornaments and take it for recycling at one of the city’s mulch sites, either at Parkside Drive or Capen Park, where it will be ground up, so make sure nothing is still on the tree.

You can also take it the composting facility at the landfill, 5700 Peabody Road, where they will accept the tree also without decorations at no charge.