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Trash, recycling & city upkeep

Dispose of Christmas trees

Philadelphia residents may dispose of their live Christmas trees curbside or recycle them. Trees placed curbside will be taken by the City as trash instead of being composted.

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.

Tree recycling: 2023 drop-off sites

The Department of Streets Christmas Tree Recycling Program will take place Tuesday, January 3rd through Saturday, January 14th. While the program is running, you may bring your Christmas tree to one of several designated locations or to a sanitation convenience center.

Trees must be untied and have no decorations to make it easy to recycle them. Recycled trees are sent to a vendor that chips them up as a bulking agent for composting.

City-run drop-off sites

  • Drop-off location
  • Sanitation convenience center

Tree recycling: 2023 community collection events

Several community groups accept Christmas trees for recycling. Before attending, confirm the event details with the group.

January 2023 collection events

Organization Drop-off location Drop-off dates and times Donation amount
Philly Goat Project The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh St. (at Duval) Saturdays, Jan. 7. and Jan. 21, 2022
12 p.m.–3 p.m. (rain dates: Sundays, Jan. 8 and Jan. 22)
$20.00

Tree recycling: 2023 pick-up services

The following groups offer pick-up services for $15–$20 per Christmas tree:


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