Meridian Waste recycles Christmas trees for Missouri fish habitat

Collected trees will go to the Missouri Department of Conservation reef project


Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste service company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has volunteered to recycle Christmas trees for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The company will haul used, natural and debris-free Christmas trees to the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles, Missouri, to return them to the environment as fish habitats.

“Repurposing these trees back into the MDC is a perfect example of how we help to take care of our one Earth responsibly,” Meridian Waste Area President Bob Mathis says. “We are so happy to participate in this and future projects directly impacting our service areas and our natural environment.”

Undecorated, natural Christmas trees can be donated at the three drop-off locations in Wentzville, Missouri, and at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

The trees will be sunk and used to create a natural reef for fish to spawn and develop homes. According to the MDC, the trees benefit some of the most popular fish that anglers like to pursue, including largemouth bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish and crappie.