DOVER — The gifts have been unwrapped, needles are piling up on the tree skirt and the dog keeps sniffing at the now exposed trunk.
Christmas is over, and it will soon be time for the once festive tree to come down.
The question is, what to do with it?
Delaware residents can boost their recycling spirit by dropping off their Christmas trees at yard-waste recycling facilities.
Christmas trees no longer are accepted for recycling at Delaware State Park locations.
Trees can be dropped off as early as today and as late as Jan. 30, but residents should contact the facility for specific hours and details.
Trees will not be accepted from commercial haulers or tree vendors without prior approval.
The facilities only take bare trees: Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal tree stands, must be removed.
“Many Delawareans have been recycling their Christmas trees for many years, and we encourage everyone to establish or continue this eco-friendly tradition,” said Bill Miller, program manager in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Section.
“Recycling these trees that are a product of nature is a wonderful way of giving back to the environment,” he added.
At least 18 percent of residential waste is composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn maintenance and landscaped materials. At one time, that yard waste ended up in landfills. Now banned from the landfills, residents are urged dispose of the waste in such a way that it can be used for composting and reuse.
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority collects yard waste, which includes Christmas trees, in areas separate from regular household waste. For more information, call (800) 404-7080.
Garbage tickets, issued by the authority, are necessary for collection sites; transfer stations and the landfills take cash or checks. For prices and more information, visit dswa.com.
Collection sites include:
• Cheswold, 54 Fork Branch Road, north of Dover. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday and Saturday. (800) 404-7080
• Ellendale, 13870 S. Old State Road. 8:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Monday and Saturday.
• Long Neck, 28963 Mount Joy Road. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday and Saturday.
• Omar, 33086 Burton Farm Road. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday and Saturday.
• Bridgeville, 16539 Polk Road. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Transfer stations include:
• Pine Tree Corners, 276 Pine Tree Road. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
• Milford Transfer, 1170 S. DuPont Blvd. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
• Rt. 5, 29997 John P. Healy Drive, Harbeson. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Landfill facilities have a separate area for recyclable yard waste.
• Sandtown, 1107 Willow Grove Road, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
• Jones Crossroads Landfill, 28560 Landfill Lane, Georgetown. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
The Solid Waste Authority is not the only resource for getting rid of the Christmas tree. Others that may collect them include some waste haulers and landscapers. Regular trash haulers may offer special collections for Christmas trees in January.
Kent County will collect Christmas trees Jan. 11-15 and 18-22 on regular trash day for customers in trash districts that have the yard waste collection service.
The following are among the sites collecting trees — stripped of all ornaments — free of charge. People should call first to verify hours.
• Blessings Greenhouses: 9372 Draper Road, Milford. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. (302) 393-3273
• Blue Hen Organics, 33529 Fox Run Road, Frankford. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 732-3211
• Grizzly’s Landscape Supply Service, 18412 The Narrow Road, Lewes. (302) 644-0654, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Kaye Construction, 22288 Coverdale Road, Seaford. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, after Jan. 4. (302)-629-7483
• Millville Organic Center, Whites Neck Road (0.5 miles north of Del. 26). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. (302) 423-2601.
• Selbyville Pet and Garden Center (free for active customers within the last six months), 38205 DuPont Blvd. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. (302) 436-8286
• Stockley Materials, 25136 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. (302) 856-7601.