As many are picking up the last scraps of holiday paper from the carpet, they’re also wondering when they can put their holiday tree out for collection.
Answer: Christmas trees and holiday greenery will be collected from homes between Jan. 3 and Feb. 28, 2022. Trees and greenery can be left where-ever you usually leave your trash and recycling cans, or at the curbside.
Trees and greens collected during this period will be composted. Come springtime, the mulch they make will be provided to residents at no cost.
Remove all ornaments and lights but don’t place your tree, garland or wreath in a bag.
Residents can also drop their Christmas trees and/or holiday greenery at one of four locations:
- Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Rd. NE)
- Fort Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Dr. NE)
- Bryant Street Sweep Shop (201 Bryant St. NW)
- South Capitol Street Graffiti Shop (2700 South Capitol St. SE)
Trees will only be collected from homes that have curbside collection service from the Department of Public Works (DPW), including single-family homes and apartment buildings containing three or fewer housing units. Households not serviced by DPW, like larger apartment buildings, should consult with their landlord or property owner about where to put their trees.
After Feb. 28, residents can still place Christmas trees and holiday greenery where their trash is collected, but composting is not guaranteed. The items will be picked up with the trash as space in DPW trucks permits.
If your tree was not collected, you can contact 311 to create a “Christmas Tree Removal – Seasonal” service request.
Trees are not the only holiday things District residents can put to another use. You can recycle holiday food containers like eggnog cartons, cans and pie tins; non-metallic wrapping paper; and empty, flattened gift and cardboard shipping boxes. Holiday ribbon is not recyclable and should be placed in the trash. String LED lights can be dropped off at the Fort Totten Transfer Station for electronic waste recycling.
Visit dpw.dc.gov for more information about Christmas tree and holiday greenery collection. For more information on recycling this holiday season, visit zerowaste.dc.gov.
