How to Start Composting Your Christmas Tree & Other Holiday Waste

The festive season brings joy, family, and mountains of wrapping paper, leftovers, and decorations. But when the celebrations end, many households are left with one big question: What do we do with all this holiday waste?

Instead of sending it all to landfill, you can compost much of your holiday waste—including your Christmas tree. Composting during the holidays not only cuts down on your rubbish pile—it’s also a great way to start the new year with sustainable habits that benefit your garden and the planet.

Can You Compost a Christmas Tree? 🎄

Yes—but not the whole thing in one go. Christmas trees are biodegradable, but they need to be cut and processed properly to decompose efficiently.

✅ What You Can Compost from a Real Tree:

• Needles – Use them as mulch or mix into your compost for aeration.

• Branches – Chop into small pieces or shred them to help them break down faster.

• Trunk – Saw into logs for drying and composting over time or use as firewood.

🚫 What to Avoid:

• Tinsel, glitter, fake snow, and plastic ornaments – Remove all non-organic decorations.

• Fake trees – These are made from plastic and metal and cannot be composted.

💡 Tip: Pine needles are acidic, so avoid adding large quantities to compost all at once. Mix with “browns” like cardboard or dry leaves to balance the pile.

How to Compost Your Tree the Smart Way

1. Remove decorations completely—no hooks, ribbons, or lights.

2. Cut off the branches and clip into smaller pieces with garden shears.

3. Chop the trunk into small logs or discs—these take longer to break down but can be used as borders or firewood in the meantime.

4. Layer the greens and browns – mix the tree parts with kitchen scraps and dry materials like cardboard or sawdust.

5. Turn your pile regularly – Trees are woody and need airflow to break down.

💡 Don’t have a shredder or axe? Some municipalities and garden services offer tree mulching or removal services that return the mulch to you.

Other Holiday Waste You Can Compost ♻️

🎁 Wrapping Paper

✅ Compost if it’s plain paper (no gloss, glitter, or foil).

🚫 Do not compost laminated, metallic, or glittery wrapping paper.

🍽️ Food Leftovers

✅ Fruit peels, vegetable scraps, stale bread, rice, pasta (in moderation).

🚫 Avoid composting meat, dairy, or oily foods unless you use Bokashi or a professional service like The Compost Kitchen.

🕯️ Candles and Wax

🚫 Do not compost traditional wax candles—they're petroleum-based.

✅ Soy or beeswax candles in small amounts may be compostable, but best left out.

🌲 Garlands & Wreaths

✅ If made of real greenery and wood, they can be broken down and composted.

🚫 Remove ribbons, wires, and synthetic decorations first.

☕ Tea Bags and Coffee Grounds

✅ Great compost ingredients—rich in nitrogen.

🚫 Avoid tea bags with plastic mesh (cut them open and compost only the leaves).

Tips for a Greener Holiday Season (Next Time!)

🎁 Use reusable cloth gift wrap or brown kraft paper tied with twine.

🥗 Plan portions wisely to reduce food waste.

🍴 Use real cutlery and crockery instead of disposable ones.

🌿 Choose a potted or rented Christmas tree that can be replanted after use.

No Space to Compost? We’ve Got You Covered

If you can’t compost your tree or holiday leftovers at home, The Compost Kitchen offers a clean, convenient collection service. We’ll make sure your festive waste becomes nutrient-rich compost—not landfill mass.

✅ Weekly food waste collection

✅ Professional vermicomposting

✅ Closed-loop sustainability you can be proud of

Start the New Year with a Sustainable Step Forward

Composting your Christmas tree and holiday waste isn’t just good for your garden—it’s a statement. It says you’re ready to step into the new year with purpose, care, and commitment to the planet.

🎄 Let The Compost Kitchen help you close the loop on your festive season. Sign up today and turn your holiday waste into something meaningful.