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: 2021 drop-off sites
The Department of Streets Christmas Tree Recycling Program takes place for two weeks in January. 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: 2021 community collection events
Several community groups accept Christmas trees for recycling. Before attending, confirm the event details with the group.
January 2021 collection events
| Organization | Drop-off location | Drop-off dates and times | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Philly Green | 16th and Wolf Streets | Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 12 p.m.–3 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| South Philly Green | 17th and Manton Streets | Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 9 a.m.–12 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| East Mt. Airy Neighbors | Historic Upsala Mansion, 6430 Germantown Ave. | Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| Passyunk Square Civic Association | Columbus Square Park, corner of 13th and Wharton | Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 9 a.m.–3 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| South of South Neighborhood Association | 1601 Washington Ave. | Saturday, Jan. 9 and Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 9 a.m.–12 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| Lower Moyamensing Civic Association | South Philadelphia High School, 2101 South Broad St. | Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 12 p.m.–3 p.m. |
$5.00 |
| Philly Goat Project | The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh St. (at Duval) | Saturdays, Jan. 9. and Jan. 23, 2021 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (rain dates: Sundays, Jan. 10 and Jan. 24) |
$20.00 |
| Philly Goat Project and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation | Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center, 3850 West Ford Rd. | Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 10 a.m.–12 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, Feb. 6) |
$20.00 |
Tree recycling: 2021 pick-up services
The following groups offer pick-up services for Christmas trees:
- Circle Compost
- South of South Neighborhood Association (Saturday, Jan.9; SOSNA area only)