This story was first published in 2018, but it has been updated to reflect current details. 

It’s that time of year, when millions of Americans begin eyeing the dead trees decorating their living rooms, when what was once pine-scented and festive starts shedding needles, transforming into a brittle brown fire hazard.

“Christmas is OVER,” Montgomery County Fire spokesperson Pete Piringer tweeted. “Dispose of Your Christmas Tree as soon as you can. It’s DANGEROUS if you don’t get it out before it dries out.”

Nationwide, Americans chop down 25 to 30 million trees each year to celebrate the holidays, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Many of those trees end up in landfills, releasing greenhouse gases as they decompose, or in incinerators.

In the D.C. region, most governments offer curbside tree recycling. Trees are chipped and composted, turning them into mulch, which is often offered to residents for free. Before you put the tree out at the curb, make sure to remove the decorations, so they don’t jam up the chipper and contaminate the finished mulch.

“Strip everything off of it,” says Eileen Kao, chief of waste reduction and recycling in Montgomery County. “Take the tinsel, take the garland, take the lights, remove the base, take everything off of that tree.”

Here’s how to recycle your tree based on where you live:

District of Columbia:

• Trees will be collected from December 27 – January 31 (residents are asked to call 311 by January 10 to schedule an appointment). You can put them out with your trash and recycling, or drop them off at one of four drop-off locations. Trees picked up during those weeks will be chipped and composted. Those left out after January 31 will still be collected, but will not be composted.

Maryland:

• In Montgomery County, trees can be put out at any time (just don’t wait, until summer, please). They are collected along with trash and recycling. Trees are composted at the county’s recycling center in Shady Grove. Multi-unit buildings are also required, by law, to provide tree recycling, so ask your building manager.
• In Prince George’s County, trees can be put at the curb along with yard waste at any time.
• Howard County, Md.: There are eight drop off sites, and residents who already have curbside yard waste pickup can leave trees out at the curb until January 18. After that, trees can be recycled at the Alpha Ridge Wood Waste Area.

Virginia:

• In Alexandria, anyone who has city trash collection can also recycle their trees curbside.
• In Arlington, trees are collected curbside from Dec. 30 – Jan. 10 to be composted and mulched (find out how to get free mulch here)
• In Fairfax County, trees are collected and recycled at single family homes and townhouses during the first two weeks in January. Residents can also drop off their trees at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex for a $7 fee.
• In Falls Church, trees are collected and composted each Wednesday in January and February, except city holidays. Apartment dwellers can take their trees to a Fairfax County recycling facility.

This story was originally published on WAMU.