City to Begin Collecting Old Christmas Trees

The city of Newark will be collecting old Christmas trees beginning today, Jan. 7 through Friday, March 1. Residents disposing of trees should make sure to remove all eletrical displays.

“It’s that time of year again when we have to wrap up the holiday season with the start of a New Year. Proper disposal of old Christmas trees and storage of electrical decorations will not only support our city’s recycling programs but also prevent tragedies that can result from a fire,” Mayor Cory Booker said. “I urge all residents to be good neighbors by discarding old trees and maintaining their property.”
 
Between 2006 and 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 230 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of four deaths, 21 injuries, and $17.3 million in direct property damage annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
 
The Division of Recycling is providing the following schedule for collections:
 
·         Monday: West Ward
·         Tuesday: East Ward
·         Wednesday: South Ward
·         Thursday: North Ward
·         Friday: Central Ward
 
Residents should place their trees at their curbside by 6 am on the morning of their scheduled pick-up.
 
For more information on trash and recycling pick-ups, or any other City of Newark program or policy, please contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 7 pm.