Christmas Tree Recycling – 2021 Curbside Guidance

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The holiday season is here! Many communities in San Diego County have options for Christmas tree recycling at your curbside collection and is a great way to help divert your Christmas tree from the landfill following the holiday festivities. Countywide drop off locations by community can be found here. Still not sure where to take your Christmas tree for recycling after reviewing this list? Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more options or call I Love a Clean San Diego’s hotline for help from a live attendant Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Incorporated County Residents, please call 1-800-237-BLUE

Unincorporated County Residents, please call 1-877-R-1-EARTH

NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO – Curbside Hauling Instructions by City

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Carlsbad

 The Carlsbad Sustainable Materials Management Division and Waste Management are offering free, curbside pickup for holiday trees Dec. 26, 2021 to Jan. 15, 2022 during regularly scheduled service day
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half and placed inside of or next to your green waste cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Waste Management
Management (760) 439-2824

Del Mar

 Holiday trees are collected curbside for two weeks after Christmas, from December 30 to January 9 on your scheduled collection day.
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half and placed next to your green waste cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Waste Management
Management (760) 439-2824

Escondido

 Dec 24th, 2021 to January 7th, 2022 during regularly scheduled service day
  • No tinsel or ornaments
  • No nails
  • No tree stands
  • Cut tree to fit inside green waste bin and place on curb on your regular trash collection date.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Escondido Disposal
(760) 745-3203

Encinitas

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 26-Jan 9, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • No flocked trees in green bin, flocked and artificial trees should go into landfill bin
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Oceanside

 For Oceanside residents, holiday trees are collected curbside for three weeks after Christmas, until January 15 on customer’s scheduled collection day.
  • All decorations should be removed, including tree stands, and trees should be cut in half and placed in the green waste cart with lid closed, or can be set curbside next to the green waste cart.
  • For trees placed curbside, a separate vehicle from the green waste cart collection truck will be picking up the trees on curbside services collection day.
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable, and must be placed in trash container with lid closed.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Solana Beach

 December 26th, 2021 – January 9th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in pieces 4-ft or smaller and put in green bin.
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Poway

 December 26th, 2021 – January 9th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Trees over four feet should be cut in half
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked trees are accepted in your green waste
  • Artificial trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Ramona

 December 27, 2021 – January 7th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches.
  • Place tree inside green waste cart for collection on your service day.
  • No flocked trees.
Ramona Disposal
(760) 789-0516

San Marcos

 December 26, 2021 – January 9th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Vista

 December 27th, 2021 – January 14th, 2022 on regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Trees over four feet should be cut in half
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Unincorporated San Diego County (including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs)

 

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 December 26, 2021 – January 9th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches.
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand.
  • Place tree inside green waste cart for collection on your service day
Ramona Disposal
(760) 789-0516

Unincorporated San Diego County (including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Year-round, during regular scheduled collection day
  • Cut tree in pieces 4ft or shorter and place in green waste bin.
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland and plastic or metal stands.
  • No artificial or flocked trees. Place tree at the curb on your regular collection day.
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Unincorporated San Diego County (including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at any time before regular collection day December 27, 2021 – January 14, 2022, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
EDCO
(760) 744-5615
or
Fallbrook Refuse

Unincorporated San Diego County (including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas
If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut into 4-foot lengths and trim off branches and placed inside of or next to your green waste cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

CENTRAL SAN DIEGO – Curbside Hauling Instructions by City

Community

Collection Dates

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Coronado

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 27-Jan 7, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26, 2021 – January 8, 2022:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

City of San Diego

 Curbside collection (For residents with yard waste collection only): Manual container customers using their own bins should place trees on the curb for collection on your regular greenery recycling pickup day. Trees over 4-ft in length should be cut in half.
Automated container customers using the large, green 96-gallon bin provided by the city should cut their trees to fit into the automated container for pickup on collection day.
  • Both green and flocked trees (fake snow) are accepted.
  • Trees over 4-ft in length should be cut in half.
  • For Greenery, curbside, and drop-off sites, all tree stands, bags, netting, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and other tree decorations must be removed.
  • No artificial trees.
  • Please do not illegally dump any other items at the drop-off locations.
Environmental Service Department
(858) 694-7000

EAST COUNTY SAN DIEGO – Curbside Hauling Instructions by City

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

El Cajon

 December 27th, 2021 – January 14th, 2022 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand.
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches, then place in green organics cart with the lid closed.
  • Artificial and flocked trees cannot be recycled, so please cut them to fit into your trash cart and they will be collected by your trash collector.
  • If you would like your tree collected after January 14th, please contact Customer Service Center to schedule a bulky item pickup.
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

La Mesa

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 27-Jan 7, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • No flocked trees in green bin, flocked and artificial trees should go into landfill bin
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Lemon Grove

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 26-Jan 9, or call EDCO to collect your tree as a bulky item pickup for a $30.00 fee that is paid via credit card at the time of request.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26, 2021 – January 9, 2022:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Santee

 December 27th, 2021 – January 7th, 2022 during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Residents can recycle their Christmas trees by placing the trees in their yard waste bins on their regular pick-up day.
  • Trees must be cut into maximum 4-ft sections and must fit into the green yard waste container.
  • Ornaments, tinsel and tree stands must be removed before being recycled.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, but will be collected if cut into 4-ft sections and placed into the regular trash bin.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas

If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut into 4-foot lengths and trim off branches and placed inside of or next to your green waste cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Year-round
  • Cut tree in pieces 4ft or shorter and place in green waste bin.
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland and plastic or metal stands.
  • No artificial or flocked trees.
  • Place tree at the curb on your regular collection day.
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at any time before regular collection day December 27, 2021 – January 14, 2022, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

SOUTH BAY SAN DIEGO – Curbside Hauling Instructions by City

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Chula Vista

 Year-round
  • Place tree at the curb on your regular collection day. Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland and plastic or metal stands.
  • When possible, cut tree into four-foot sections. Plastic trees are NOT recyclable and must be disposed of as trash!
  • Apartment and condominium residents please contact your manager or HOA.
  • Residents of single-family homes, please place tree at the curb on your regular collection day. Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland and plastic or metal stands.
  • When possible, cut tree into four-foot sections.
  • Flocked and plastic trees are NOT recyclable and must be disposed of as trash!
  • Residents with any questions can call 619-691-5122 or email EnvironmentalServices@chulavistaca.gov
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Imperial Beach

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 26 – Jan 10, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26, 2021 – January 10, 2022:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

National City

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, Dec 27-Jan 13, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 27, 2021 – January 13, 2022
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Bonita)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Residents can place cut trees in green bin at any time before regular collection day December 27, 2021 – January 14, 2022, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for scheduled pick up day.
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash
 EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Bonita)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 Year-round, on your regular scheduled collection day
  • Cut tree in pieces 4ft or shorter.
  • No artificial or flocked trees.
  • Place tree at the curb on your regular collection day.
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Unincorporated San Diego County (including Bonita)

If you live in an unincorporated unincorporated regions of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact one of the following haulers for additional guidance.

 If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas on your scheduled collection day.
If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut into 4-foot lengths and trim off branches and placed inside of or next to your green waste cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Contact your waste hauler to confirm collection dates and instructions.