PHILADELPHIA, PA — As the holiday season concludes, Philadelphia sanitation officials have announced important updates regarding trash collection and the annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program. The city will suspend services on January 1, 2024, for the New Year’s holiday, which will impact the regular collection schedule.
Residents who typically have their trash and recycling picked up on Thursdays or Fridays are instructed to set their materials out one day later than usual. For households that receive collections twice a week, only one pickup will occur during this holiday week, with trash and recycling collected on the first scheduled day only.
Sanitation Commissioner Crystal Jacobs Shipman emphasized that the post-holiday period is a peak time for waste management in the city. She urged residents to continue recycling effectively to minimize costs and prevent additional materials from entering landfills.
Christmas Tree Recycling Program Details
The city’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program will run from January 5 to January 17, 2024. This program, now in its 37th year, offers a sustainable alternative for disposing of live Christmas trees. Residents can drop off their undecorated and untied trees at any of the city’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers, which are open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday through Saturday. The drop-off locations include:
– 3033 South 63rd Street
– 2601 West Glenwood Avenue
– 3901 North Delaware Avenue
– State Road and Ashburner Street
– Domino Lane and Umbria Street
– 5100 Grays Avenue
Additionally, trees will also be accepted at 15 designated drop-off locations on the Saturdays of January 10 and January 17, from 09:00 to 15:00. City officials emphasized that all trees must be completely free of decorations and ties to be eligible for recycling. Trees that are found with ornaments, lights, tinsel, or other materials will not be processed.
The recycling program is exclusively available to residents using city-provided trash and recycling services. Those who do not participate in the program can place their trees out as regular trash on their designated collection day.
Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste
Officials also encouraged residents to consider alternative uses for their trees. Small pine limbs and needles can be utilized as winter mulch for sensitive plants, and trees can be composted. Burning trees indoors is discouraged due to the potential for sap to create odors and lead to creosote buildup in chimneys, which raises fire risks.
As holiday celebrations typically result in increased waste, residents are reminded to recycle common items such as non-metallic wrapping paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, paper bags, catalogs, and calendars. Reusing items like gift bags, ribbons, bows, newspapers, and plastic bags can further reduce waste, while minimizing excess packaging helps keep materials out of landfills throughout the year.
For more detailed information on proper recycling practices during the holiday season, residents can refer to the city’s recycling guide.
