How To Dispose Of Holiday Trees Properly In Berkeley

BERKELEY, CA — Are you one of the 20.89 million people who bought a live Christmas tree this year? If so, you may want to take advantage of Berkeley's Christmas Tree Recycling program during the month of January.

The city of Berkeley is reminding those who need to dispose of a holiday tree that they are not allowed to be placed on streets and sidewalks. Whole trees can damage the city's collection trucks and will not be picked up if left on the curb.

"When you're ready to dispose of your holiday tree, you can cut it up and place it in your bin for curbside pickup or drop it off whole at the City's Transfer Station," the city said in a news release.

Whichever method you choose, remember to remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags, and plastic tree stands first.

To prep a tree for curbside collection, cut the tree up so it fits into your green compost cart with the lid closed.

Flocked or "snow-covered" trees are not compostable. If you have a flocked tree, cut it up and treat it as you would a plastic tree: place it in your gray refuse cart.

If you don't have tools to cut your tree, free tool rental is available at the Berkeley Tool Lending Library 1901 Russell Street on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays, Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. Only Berkeley residents or property owners over age 18 may borrow tools.

Whole trees, with lights and decorations removed, can be dropped at the Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 2nd Street (off Gilman) Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Berkelely Transfer Station will be closed on New Year's Day. Cost to drop a tree is $38.50 fee plus $3.50 Environmental Compliance Fee for dropping off flocked or plastic trees

The Transfer Station will take compostable trees for free through the end of January. Starting Feb. 1, the cost returns to normal fee of $27.75 for disposal of up to 330 lbs. of plant debris and organic matter.