Tree and Lights Recycling Offered Through Mid-January 2026

Published on December 19, 2025

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) today announced the availability of several programs for Christmas tree and light recycling through mid-January 2026.

The City will provide Christmas tree drop-off sites Thursday, December 25, through January 19, 2026, at these locations:

  • Ballard Park, 3901 North 66th St.
  • Holmes Lake Park, South 70th and Normal streets, parking lot west of north softball field
  • Oak Lake Park, three blocks south of Cornhusker on North First Street
  • Tierra Park, South 29th Street and Tierra Drive
  • Seng Park at University Place, North 50th and Garland streets
  • Woods Park, South 31st and "J" streets, southeast corner of the parking lot

See a map of the drop-off locations at lincoln.ne.gov/TreeRecycling. All decorations, tinsel, lights, skirts, disposal bags and stands must be removed from trees. This is the 39th year for the City's tree recycling service. The effort is a collaboration between the LTU Solid Waste Management Division and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Residents also can contact their refuse haulers regarding tree disposal. The Solid Waste Management Division reminds residents that holiday lights must not be placed in curbside recycling bins or deposited at community recycling sites.

Boy Scout Troop 8 will provide tree pickup service December 26, 27, and 28, and January 1, 3, 4 and 10, 2026. To schedule a pickup, visit scoutingfortrees.com or call 402-965-1458. Trees should be placed on the front lawn by 9 a.m. The service is free, but donations are appreciated.

The 13th annual Recycle Holiday Lights Drive runs now through January 10, 2026. Funds raised from the copper extracted from the lights benefit the Eastridge Elementary PTO, the Lincoln Firefighters Operation Warm and the Lincoln Public Schools Science Focus Program Booster Club.

Drop off locations include:

  • Eastridge Elementary School parking lot, 6245 “L” St. – north end of the parking lot
  • Lincoln Children’s Zoo Flamingo parking lot, 2847 “A” St. – The bin is located at the south end of the overflow lot accessed via “A” Street, south of the zoo.
  • All Lincoln Fire and Rescue Stations – for locations, visit lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Fire/Stations

Lights attached to garland and wreaths are accepted only in the Eastridge Elementary parking lot and should be placed in boxes next to the collection bin. Donations must not include boxes, brown paper sacks, plastic bags, ornaments, artificial trees or household trash. Visit scrapcentralrecycling.com/about/community-involvement for more information.

For more information on the City recycling program, visit recycle.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Recycling Hotline at 402-441-8215.

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