Christmas “Tree-cycling” in NYC
Need Curbside Collection? – Please, “Naked” Trees Only!
The New York City Department of Sanitation will begin its annual curbside collection of Christmas trees on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Collection runs through Saturday, January 12, weather permitting.
Residents should remove all stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments before putting trees out for collection. Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees left on the curb between Wednesday, January 2 and Saturday, January 12, will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city’s parks, institutions and community gardens.
Those needing to get rid of mostly plastic and metal fake Christmas trees should consider selling or donating them. Donation opportunities may be found at nyc.gov/donate. If donation or resale is not an option, remove all ornaments and lights, and put them out next to your recycling on regular recycling days.
The Department of Sanitation collected more than 200,000 Christmas trees for “tree-cycling” after Christmas 2017.
“While Christmas trees are in our homes for only a short period of time, recycling can give them a longer life,” said Commissioner Garcia. “After collection, the trees are turned into compost to give life to plants in our city’s parks and community gardens. We thank all residents for taking part in the program.”
NYC Parks provides additional options for bidding “fir-well” to your tree at Mulchfest. With 68 total drop-off sites, including parks and Greenthumb gardens, New Yorkers can drop off their trees between January 4 and 13, 2019. Dates have been extended this year for those who celebrate Three Kings Day. On the final weekend of Mulchfest, January 12 and 13, at 31 chipping sites across the city, visitors can pick up mulch to take home. Please remember to remove all lights, ornaments, decorations and netting from trees.
“We encourage New Yorkers to bid their tree “fir-well” at Mulchfest, making it a part of their Holiday tradition,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. “By making greening a family activity, we all can help reduce waste, and protect and nourish other trees and plants across the city year-round.”
For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling or MulchFest, visit www.nyc.gov/dsny, www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) promotes a healthy environment through the efficient management of solid waste and the development of environmentally sound long-range planning for handling refuse, including recyclables. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 695 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.