When, How To Recycle Your Christmas Trees In DC

WASHINGTON, DC -- All the gifts have been unwrapped, all the eggnog has been consumed, and all the children have started playing with their new toys. All that's left is the cleanup and that means putting away the holiday decorations and disposing of or recycling your Christmas tree.

The D.C. Department of Public Works will be collecting Christmas trees and holiday greenery Dec. 27-Jan. 31. Residents who live in households that are serviced by DPW are asked to call 311 to schedule an appointment to have their Christmas trees and greenery picked up between Dec. 27-Jan. 10.

Residents must place the trees and greenery in front of their home or drop them off at one of the following locations:

• Benning Road Transfer Station, 3200 Benning Road, N.E.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Fort Totten Transfer Station, 4900 Bates Road, N.E.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Bryant Street Sweep Shop, 201 Bryant St., N.W.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• South Capitol Street Graffiti Shop, 2700 South Capitol St., S.E. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Trees will be composted and the mulch will be made available to residents free of charge. Residents are asked to remove all decorations and not place the trees or greenery in bags.

After Jan. 31, holiday trees and greenery can be put out with your regular trash pickup, where they will be collected provided space is available on DPW trucks. Any holiday trees or greenery picked up after Jan. 31 will not be composted.

DPW does not provide Christmas tree collection services for residents of apartments or condominiums. Owners of these properties are required to provide tenants with solid waste collection, including for holiday trees and greenery.

Here are some ways to recycle trees from the National Christmas Tree Association:

• Christmas trees are biodegradable, which means recycled or reused for mulch and other purposes. Here are some ways to recycle trees from the National Christmas Tree Association:
• Curbside pick-up for recycling: Many providers will collect trees during regular pickup schedules on the two weeks following Christmas. There are often requirements for size, removing ornaments, flocking, etc.
• Yard waste: Cut the tree to fit loosely into your yard waste container.
• Tree recycling/mulching programs: Tree recycling and mulching programs are a fast-growing trend in communities throughout the nation. Check with your local department of public works for information. They chip and shred the trees, then make the mulch available for use in your garden. Your hauler will notify you of pick-up dates in your area. Be sure to check with your local hauler.
• Nonprofit pickup: Call for an appointment to have a nonprofit organization in your area pickup your tree. Some Boy Scout troops offer a pickup service for a small donation.