Getting rid of your Christmas tree or lights? Try these recycling options around KC

Joseph Hernandez

The Christmas decorations have to come down at some point, right? If you’re looking to dispose of your lights or your tree, there are a few places around Kansas City where you can take them to be recycled.

WHERE CAN I DROP OFF MY LIGHTS?

Christmas lights contain recyclable materials, like plastic, glass and copper. The string can get tangled if you recycle them with your normal curbside recycling, which can cause damage to the recycling center’s machines.

You’ll want to take them to these places, where they can be properly recycled.

From now through Jan. 8, the Kansas City Zoo is recycling holiday lights. You can take them to the guest relations desk during regular zoo hours, which are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. The zoo will close at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

If you’re a Johnson County resident, you can drop off your lights at the City of Olathe e-Waste Recycling Program anytime throughout the year. You’ll have to call 913-971-9311 to schedule a time to drop off your lights.

WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREES?

Residents of KCMO can drop off their Christmas trees for a fee per tree at one of the city’s leaf & brush drop sites between Dec. 26 and Jan. 16:

  • 11660 N. Main St.

  • 1815 N. Chouteau Trafficway

  • 10301 Raytown Road

You can also leave your tree out on the curb for trash collection the week after Christmas.

In case you forget to do that, anyone can go to Johnson County to drop off your Christmas trees from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Dec. 26 and New Year’s Day.

You can’t bring yard clippings or other recycling materials here, since they only accept trees during this time.

The locations for free Christmas tree drop-off:

  • Theatre in the Park: 7710 Renner Road

  • Heritage Park Marina: 16240 Pflumm Road

  • Kill Creek Park: 11670 Homestead Lane

  • Shawnee Mission Park: 7900 Renner Road

Overland Park also has Christmas tree recycling centers open from now until Jan. 9. They’re only available for Overland Park residents, so you’ll have to show ID to access these places:

  • Indian Creek Rec Center: 10308 Marty St.

  • Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens: 8909 W. 179th St.

  • Quivira Park: 11901 Quivira Road

  • Young’s Park: 7701 Antioch Road

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