What’s After the Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Christmas Tree-cycling!

It’s the hap-happiest season of all! The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced Christmas tree collection guidance for City residents.

All residents of Brooklyn and Queens, boroughs already receiving curbside composting collection may simply place their tree out, with their food scraps and yard waste, for collection on their regularly scheduled compost and recycling day. This is the first time trees can be set out as curbside compost collection, and is just one of many ways New York City’s composting program is the easiest ever.

Residents of the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island should place their tree out at the curb for collection beginning Friday, January 5, 2024. Collection will run through Saturday, January 13, barring delays that may be caused by winter weather events. As a reminder, these Christmas trees are collected separately from trash and recycling, and patience is appreciated as pick-up may not occur immediately; trees are collected with other trees, and the Department scouts trees at the curb to make efficient routes.

No matter the borough, residents choosing to take advantage of curbside collection should remove all stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments before putting trees out for collection. Do NOT wrap trees in plastic bags.

After collection, the Christmas trees will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city’s parks, institutions and community gardens.

Need to get rid of an artificial tree?

Residents looking to get rid of an artificial tree should separate and remove the metal base and trunk and place those parts with their other metal recycling.

For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling visit www.nyc.gov/dsny or call 311.