Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Residents of Orange Beach are being encouraged to contribute to coastal restoration efforts by recycling their live Christmas trees. Public Works has announced that they will collect trees stripped of decorations and tinsel from curbsides on Friday, January 5th, for the dune restoration project.

For over three decades, Gulf State Park has been utilizing donated Christmas trees to bolster and enhance the dunes that protect the coastal ecosystem. This year, the collected trees will once again be transported to the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion, where they will serve a new purpose in supporting ongoing dune restoration efforts.

To ensure the trees are suitable for recycling, residents must remove all decorations, tinsel, and especially flocking. Flocked trees, due to their artificial covering, are ineligible for the program.

In addition to the curbside collection, the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion is offering an alternative drop-off point. Residents can bring their live, undecorated, and unflocked trees to the east end of the parking lot, adjacent to the Dumpster area. 

This environmental initiative, rooted in a 30-year tradition, has significantly contributed to the restoration and improvement of the vital dune ecosystem along the coast. By participating, residents not only dispose of their Christmas trees sustainably but also play a crucial role in protecting and enhancing their local environment.

Gulf State Park will continue accepting tree donations throughout January. As a reminder, for the trees to be part of this eco-friendly project, they must be completely free of all flocking, tinsel, ornaments, and other decorations.