When, How To Get Rid Of Live Christmas Trees In Arlington 2024

ARLINGTON, VA — Once Christmas comes and goes, residents will need to get rid of their live Christmas trees in the coming days. Christmas tree recycling will be provided in the coming days by Arlington County.

The time to say farewell to your live Christmas tree will depend on when you got it, what condition it is in, and whether it was properly watered.

Live Christmas trees can pose a fire hazard as they dry out, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The organization says Christmas tree fires aren't common but can grow quickly when they occur. Nearly one in three Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical issues, and one in five are due to a heat source too close to the tree.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends getting rid of your live Christmas tree after Christmas or when it is dried out. Once removed, Christmas trees should not be left in homes, garages or leaning against homes.

In Arlington, trees collected by the county in January are turned into mulch that will then be made available from county facilities.

From Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, Arlington residents should place trees at the curb no later than 6 a.m. along with carts on their regular trash collection day after removing all decorations, nails and stands. The trees should be bare and ready for mulching. Residents should not place trees in plastic bags.

Because Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 is a holiday, all curbside collection shifts by one day, so Monday routes will run on Tuesday, Jan. 2, Tuesday routes will run on Wednesday, Jan. 3 and so on, with Friday routes running Saturday, Jan. 6.

After Jan. 12, Christmas trees are handled at curbside as part of regular year-round yard waste collection in Arlington.

Residents without regular curbside pickup, including those living in townhomes, apartments and condominiums, can bring Christmas trees to the Solid Waste Bureau’s Earth Products Yard in Shirlington. For safe drop-off, call 703-228-5000 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to schedule a weekday appointment. Residents will need proof of residence in Arlington to drop off a tree.