How do I recycle my Christmas Tree?If you’d like to recycle your tree, you can:
- Take it to a City-run drop-off site.
- Take it to a community collection event.
- Arrange for pick-up services with any of these three services for $15-$20 per Christmas Tree:
City of Philadelphia residents can recycle Christmas Trees for free by dropping them off at one of the six Sanitation Convenience Centers from 8 am - 6 pm from Tuesday, January 3 to Saturday, January 14 (No Sundays) or at one of the thirteen Christmas Tree Saturday Dropoff Locations (call ahead for hours) or for a donation at any of eight Civic Association Christmas Tree Recycling Organizations (hours and dates vary, listed on the website). You Should Know:
For those households that cannot participate in the recycling program, trees placed at the curb will be picked up on regularly scheduled collection day as trash.
Thirteen Saturday Dropoff Locations:
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Drop-Off Location
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Area
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Pennway & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec.)
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Northeast
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15th & Bigler St.
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South Philadelphia
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43rd & Powelton Ave.
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West Philadelphia
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4800 Wayne Ave (Happy Hollow Rec Ctr)
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Northwest
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54th & Woodbine Ave.
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West Philadelphia
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7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec.)
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Northeast
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American & Thompson St.
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North Philadelphia
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Broad & Christian St.
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South Philadelphia
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Castor & Foulkrod St.
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Frankford
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Cathedral & Ridge Ave.
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Northwest
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Corinthian & Poplar St.
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North Philadelphia
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Graver Lane & Seminole
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Northwest
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Washington Ln. & Ardleigh
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Northwest
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Further Information:
All trees should be free of all decorations and untied.
In addition to recycling trees, residents may follow these tips to re-use their trees:
- Small pine limbs and needles are good winter mulch material for sensitive plants.
- Trees can also become backyard compost.
- Trees should not be burned in a fireplace. The sap from the tree creates foul odors and can coat the chimney with creosote which can cause a fire.
- Check with your local civic associations that offer additional drop-off locations.
Vendors are responsible for making arrangements for the private disposal of their discarded trees.
In addition to Christmas trees, there are many more items to recycle during this holiday season. Typically, during the holiday season, more waste is generated. The Streets Department offers the following suggestions to ensure residents maximize recycling this holiday season and year-round.
Recycle:
- Wrapping paper (except glitter or metallic paper) and gift tags.
- Glass wine and champagne bottles by rinsing and drying them out.
- Soda and beer cans, paper grocery bags, department store sale flyers and catalogs, telephone books, and calendars.
