City Of Fremont's Christmas Tree Composting Procedure

From the City of Fremont:

Posted on December 20, 2019

Every year, thousands of Christmas trees will end up in landfills if they are not properly composted by Fremont residents. Reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season by planting a live tree, decorating with a reusable tree, or properly composting a live tree. Christmas trees are only compostable if they are free of all decorations, tinsel, nails, and tree stands (including wooden stands nailed to the bottom of the trunk). Any tree that is flocked with artificial snow contains fire retardant and cannot be composted. There are several different ways you can dispose of your holiday tree in Fremont:

Gutter (Single-family homes only)

• Service is available December 30, 2019 through January 10, 2020.
• If your tree is less than 6 feet in length, place the whole tree in the gutter on your collection day.
• If your tree is over 6 feet in length, cut the tree in half and place both halves in the gutter on your collection day.
• Make sure your tree is in the gutter, not on the sidewalk.
• Check that your tree is free of all decorations when placed in the gutter; this helps keep our storm drains litter-free.

Green Organics Cart

• Cut compostable tree so that pieces fit loosely in your green organics cart with the lid closed.
• Place the cart at the curb on your scheduled collection day.

Garbage Cart (Please use this only as the last option. Compost your tree first, if possible.)

• If the tree contains flocking or decorations, cut it up so pieces fit loosely in your black garbage cart with the lid closed.
• Place the black garbage cart at the curb on your scheduled collection day.
• If you live in a multifamily complex, please contact your property manager to learn how your tree can be properly composted.

This press release was produced by the City of Fremont. The views expressed here are the author’s own.