Tree recycling initiative in full effect

The City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Christmas tree recycling drop-off, where residents can take natural Christmas trees to two locations for the city to turn into mulch for its parks and gardens.

The initiative is in collaboration with Keep Brownsville Beautiful, an environmental conservation organization. 

Daniel Salinas, parks maintenance manager, said the initiative has been in place since 2017. This year, the mulch, previously used to create sand dunes for Boca Chica Beach and South Padre Island, will be used for the city’s landscapes.

“We send them to the landfill,” Salinas said. “At the landfill, they do a separate pile … and then from there, we have a giant wood chipper, so the Christmas trees get wood chipped, and then from there, [become] our mulch for our parks.”

He said they pick up from Lowe’s and Home Depot, the initiative’s former locations, since residents still drop off their trees there. He said they also collect remaining tree inventory from H-E-B, Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Nicholas Tamayo, Keep Brownsville Beautiful activities specialist and coordinator, said the drop-off locations will be different this year.

“Instead of having, I believe, Home Depot and Lowe’s as drop-off locations, we’re going to be doing Gonzalez Park and Oliveira Park,” Tamayo said.

He said the tradition helps clean up brush and get rid of Christmas trees in the most efficient way possible and that recycling the trees helps create an aesthetically pleasing environment.

The Rider asked if the benefits of purchasing a real tree outweigh those of purchasing a plastic one.  Tamayo advocated for using a reusable plastic tree.

“You don’t have to worry about animals or any type of insects getting inside your house,” Tamayo said. “I think there’s a real benefit to having that plastic Christmas tree where it’s reusable every year and it’s less of a hassle to own.”

Christopher Gabler, an associate professor for the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, said the city’s initiative is a great idea since collecting trees minimizes the amount of waste that goes into landfills.

“It’s doing something useful with them,” Gabler said. “You know, like, it means that we then don’t cut down other trees to make mulch for our landscape beds. So, it’s a win-win for that reason.”

He also said the debate over owning a natural or plastic tree does not have a “clear-cut answer.”

“If you use a plastic Christmas tree for a really long time, it’s better than getting a natural real tree every year. If you throw away your plastic tree after just a couple of years, it’s better to do natural trees.”

Gabler added that plastic trees can take decades to centuries to decompose, whereas natural trees take just a few years and even less if turned into mulch.

Tamayo recommends reusing decorations and making recyclable Christmas ornaments through arts and crafts.

“Don’t be quick to throw ornaments away,” he said. “I think that’s the best way you can give back to the environment.”

Gabler encourages avoiding plastic where possible and choosing other biodegradable and recyclable alternatives, such as wood or glass ornaments. He also said that being aware when making purchases is one of the best ways to reduce plastic waste.

Gabler said the recycling initiative would be even better if the city could pick up the trees to reduce carbon emissions.

 “Having two locations where they take them might mean that some people drive a long way to put their tree there,” he said. “… So, that’s one place where they could improve. Otherwise, good, good policy.”

Natural trees can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. throughout the month of January at Tony Gonzalez Park, located at 34 Tony Gonzalez Dr., and Oliveira Park, located at 104 El Paso Road. 

Christmas trees need to be free of all decorations and artificial snow.