Every year the Horry County Solid Waste Authority grinds hundreds and hundreds of Christmas trees into a decorative mulch for landscaping, then 聽distributes it free to the public.
鈥淚t鈥檚 giving the tree a second life,鈥 Gloria Johnson, the HCSWA鈥檚 recycling coordinator, said of the annual Grinding of the Greens program.
But there鈥檚 another use for the mulch that can help extend the Christmas season, and let you get even a little more mileage out of that fresh-cut tree that likely cost you $70 to $100.
Johnson credited Esther Murphy, HCSWA director of recycling and corporate affairs, for the discovery.
鈥淓very year Esther gets some [mulch] for her office for potpourri. It smells amazing,鈥 Johnson said.
The goal is to divert the trees and other organic waste from the landfill, although the Christmas trees would certainly improve the smell. 鈥淲e want to save that space for just garbage,鈥 Johnson said.
Before dragging the trees to the curb, Johnson said residents should remove all lights and decorations, including tinsel and garland. Natural wreaths can鈥檛 be recycled.
The trees will be collected through Jan. 29.
Residents of Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Loris and Aynor can leave their trees at the curb for pickup. County residents living outside city limits can take their trees to one of 25 HCSWA recycling centers.
Myrtle Beach residents can also place trees curbside for pick-up, or take them to the solid waste transfer station at 3221 Mr. Joe White Avenue in the city.
When the grinding begins in February, the public can pick up the mulch for free at the landfill at 1886 Highway 90 near Conway while supplies last. Johnson said to bring your own containers.
There鈥檚 no limit to the amount of mulch you can acquire. It鈥檚 first-come, first-served, and generally available by mid-February. Call 843-347-1651 to check availability.
While some folks drag their trees into the forest to let nature take its course, or burn them at bonfires during church epiphany services, Johnson said residents can鈥檛 go wrong by recycling into mulch.
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to have them. It鈥檚 a community program, and we鈥檇 like to give those trees another life,鈥 she said.
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