Christmas Trees (Artificial) Bulky Item Pick Up Consider Donation If the artificial tree is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Bulky Item Collection Artificial trees may be collected as a bulky item, please check with your city page for collection options (residential or commercial). Bulky Item collection options may vary depending on your city. To schedule a bulky item pickup place an order online or call Athens’ Customer Service Department at 888-336-6100. Learn about Christmas lights and how to responsibly dispose of them. Rent a Tree Consider renting a live tree from the Living Christmas Company. Real Trees vs Fake Trees? Which is the more environmentally friendly choice, real or fake trees? Find out more. Ways to Reduce Decorate a Potted Tree Instead It may be unconventional, but skipping the traditional Christmas tree (real or fake) altogether and decorating a potted tree you’ve bought or have in your home is a truly green way to have a tree for the holidays. Ways to Reuse Use for Years Make the most of your artificial Christmas tree (and help the environment) by reusing the tree as many times as possible. As long as you take good care of it, it could be with you for years. Donate or Sell Your Tree If your artificial tree is still in good shape, consider donating it to a thrift store rather than throwing it out. You could also consider selling it online. November is the best time, but eBay has hundreds of listings year-round. Reuse for Smaller Decorations If your artificial tree is in rough shape after many years, remove and save the limbs that are still in good condition. They can be used to create smaller holiday decorations such as wreaths. Did You Know? Fake Trees: Greener Than Real Trees? There’s no clear winner in the debate about whether real or fake trees are the more environmentally friendly choice. Some people say it’s fake trees because using them saves cutting down one tree for every year you use them. But others say real trees are best because they can be turned back into mulch, instead of filling up landfills with plastic. The only clear green choice is to skip fake or real trees and get a living, potted tree instead. Inspired by the Toilet Brush The first artificial Christmas tree made from brush bristles was manufactured in 1930 by the Addis Brush Company, using the same machinery that it used to make toilet bowl brushes, the only difference being they dyed the bristles green.