PHILADELPHIA – The annual residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs from Monday, January 4 through Saturday, January 16, announced Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. The 32-year old program, developed by the Streets Department’s Sanitation Division, provides residents with an environmentally-friendly alternative for the disposal of used trees.

Residents who wish to drop off their trees to be recycled may take them to any of the six Sanitation Convenience Centers listed below; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

3033 S. 63rd Street                                     2601 W. Glenwood Avenue

Domino Lane & Umbria Street                  3901 N. Delaware Avenue

State Road & Ashburner Street                  5100 Grays Avenue

 

An additional 13 designated locations have been identified across for drop offs of Christmas trees throughout the City on Saturdays, January 9 and January 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

For a successful recycling program, residents should make sure that trees are free of all decorations and untied. Christmas trees with decorations cannot be recycled.  Christmas trees present a seasonal addition to the City’s waste stream.  By recycling them and returning them to the earth, we reduce our waste costs and create a valuable resource.

 

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. A list of groups can be find at

As always, the program is for residents who receive City collected trash and recycling services. Vendors are responsible for making arrangements for the private disposal of their discarded trees.

Tree recycling information can be found at http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday. For those households that cannot participate in the recycling program, trees set out for pick up will be collected on regularly scheduled collection day as trash.

 

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. Citizens are reminded of the three “Rs” as a convenient way to practice recycling. All three “Rs” are equally important to the environment.

 

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.

 

Reuse:

  • Ribbons and bows
  • Plastic gift cards
  • Plastic grocery and gift bags
  • Gift bags

 

Reduce:

  • Waste that reaches our landfills
  • Use less tissue paper and decorations in your packaging
  • Use less wrapping paper when wrapping your gifts

 

For additional information regarding recycling or any other Streets Department service, please visit us online at www.philadelphiastreets.com.  For all City services, call 311.

 

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