Curbside Collection
Wednesday, January 2nd, through Saturday, January 12th
Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for composting during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Weather permitting, collection will begin on Wednesday, January 2nd, and end on Saturday, January 12th.
Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and the netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations. Don't put the tree in a plastic bag.
Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for use in city parks, institutions, and community gardens.
Trees that still have decorations on them will be collected as garbage and not composted.
Trees put out at the curb before January 2nd or after January 12th will also be collected as garbage and not composted.
Artificial trees that are mostly made of either metal or rigid plastic can be put next to your recycling container on regular recycling days, after removing ornaments from them. But if the tree is taller than four feet, schedule a bulk pick-up appointment.
Artificial trees that aren't mostly metal or rigid plastic will be collected as part of your regular garbage.
Artificial trees that are four feet or smaller can be thrown out with your regular garbage.
Artificial trees in good condition can also be donated or sold. See donateNYC for details.
Mulchfest
Saturday, January 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 13th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 13th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
At its annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will accept trees and recycle them into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in community gardens.
Bring your tree to any of the chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 12th or 13th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration before you bring the tree to Mulchfest.
Among Brooklyn's chipping locations are one at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and one at Park Circle at Parkside Avenue.
All of the chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down the page and choose a borough.
The Parks Department will give you a free bag of mulch, if you want one, to use on your own trees or on street trees. The department will provide the bags.
Drop-off
Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th
Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th
Not all of the Parks Department's locations have chipping equipment on-site during Mulchfest; those locations are for drop-off only. Sometime after you drop off your tree, it will be recycled.
Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees during the two days of Mulchfest (January 12th and 13th) as well as every other day from Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th.
Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.