City Of Davis: Christmas Tree Recycling Tips

Press release from the City Of Davis:

December 02, 2021 6:44 am

If your holiday celebration included a cut Christmas tree, here’s what you can do with it after the holidays. Before you determine how best to discard your tree, don’t forget to remove the lights, ornaments, any tinsel and the tree stand (even if it’s made of wood!).

Place your tree in your organics cart: Cut trees (that have not been flocked) can be composted after the holidays! You can place the tree in your organics cart, but make sure that everything fits and the lid closes. Smaller Christmas trees may be able to be placed in the organics cart as is. Larger trees may need to be cut in half or have the branches trimmed in order to fit into the cart.

Place your tree in the on-street yard material pile: Larger trees (that will not fit in the organics cart) can be placed in on-street yard material piles. Don’t forget that if trees are over five feet tall, they will need to be cut to a smaller size as trees should not be larger than five feet in any direction (since the Claw cannot collect material larger than that). Please note that yard material piles (and Christmas trees) may only be placed on the street seven days before a scheduled pick-up. 

You can also bring your tree to the landfill. If you are not able to use the cart or the on-street yard material collection, the Yolo Landfill accepts Christmas trees for free composting from Dec. 26 – Jan. 15.

Please note that you cannot compost a tree that has been flocked. Flocking is a way to make your tree looks like it is dusted with a light powder of snow. Cut trees that are flocked with any kind of plastic, foam, or paint cannot be composted and are not accepted in yard material piles or in organics carts. Flocked trees need to be cut up to fit in the trash cart or brought to the landfill to be disposed of as trash.

And lastly, artificial trees cannot be recycled. They can be sold or donated for reuse, otherwise they can be placed in the trash.

More information on holiday waste reduction, what can go in the organics cart, and yard material collection information. 

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