How to dispose of your Christmas tree in NYC
The gifts are unwrapped and the big day is over. If you’re ready to take down your ornaments and get ried of your Christmas tree in NYC, there are a few ways to do it this year.
As usual, NYC Parks will hold Mulchfest, where you can donate your tree to get ground up into mulch. During Chipping Weekend in January, you can take a free bag of mulch home for your garden. Otherwise, NYC Sanitation will pick up your tree and wreaths for composting.
See below for more information on how to dispose of your Christmas tree in NYC:
Where can I drop off my Christmas tree in NYC?
You can drop off your tree at select parks for chipping and recycling during Mulchfest. NYC Parks shreds your tree into wood chips that will be used to nourish other trees.
Here’s an interactive map of all the participating parks.
When can I drop off my Christmas tree in NYC?
From December 26 through January 7, you can take your tree to any Mulchfest location during park hours.
If you bring your tree to a chipping site on January 6 or January 7 between 10am and 2pm, you can get a free bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree.
How can I drop off my Christmas tree in NYC?
Before you bring your tree to Mulchfest, you must remove plastic bags, lights, ornaments, tinsel, tree stands, netting and any other accessories.
Can I drop off wreaths at Mulchfest, too?
Yes! Just be sure it does not have any ornaments, lights or other bits and bobs on it.
When do I set out my Christmas tree on the curb for pickup?
Set it out on your Curbside Composting collection day if in Brooklyn or Queens. Other boroughs will see tree pickup between January 5 and 13, according to NYC’s 311. Just make sure your tree is stripped of its decorations.
Brooklyn or Queens
Set out your clean Christmas trees and wreaths with your other composting curbside the evening before your Curbside Composting collection day. Compost is collected every week on the same day as your recycling.
Bronx, Manhattan, or Staten Island:
Set out your clean Christmas trees and wreaths curbside any day between Friday, January 5 and Saturday, January 13, 2024 (weather permitting). Christmas trees and wreaths are collected separately from your trash and recycling.
How do I get rid of my artificial tree in NYC?
First, take it apart and recycle the base and trunk (the pole) with metal, glass, plastic, and cartons on your recycling day.
Make sure to remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel before placing it at the curb. Otherwise, set it out as trash on a regular collection day.