“Bare” Trees Only, Please – No Bags or Decorations!
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced that Christmas tree collection will begin on Thursday, January 6th. Collection will run through Saturday, January 15th, barring any delays that may be caused by snow events. As a reminder, 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 DSNY scouts trees at the curb to make efficient routes. DSNY collects more than 200,000 Christmas trees for ‘tree-cycling’ every year.
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.
Residents may also bring their trees to a MulchFest site. NYC Parks MulchFest 2022 will run through Sunday, January 9th. The trees will be chipped and recycled, and the mulch is used to nourish city trees and plants in every corner of the city.
Those needing to get rid of mostly plastic and metal artificial Christmas trees should consider selling or donating them. Donation opportunities may be found at nyc.gov/donate. Otherwise, if possible, take apart your tree to recycle the base and trunk (pole) with metal, glass, plastic and cartons. Remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel before placing at the curb.
For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling or MulchFest, visit nyc.gov/dsny, nyc.gov/parks or call 311.
Courtesy of the Department of Sanitation