The 2024/2025 Christmas Tree Recycling Guide in San Diego County

Christmas Tree Recycling Guide: How and Where to Recycle Real Christmas Trees in San Diego County

Among other benefits over fake trees, real Christmas trees can be composted or turned into mulch and returned to the earth. Trees sprayed with fake snow (flocked) trees cannot be composted.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY (Dec. 03, 2024) – San Diego residents can help close the loop on holiday waste by transforming their old Christmas trees into nutrient rich compost or mulch. When Christmas trees are recycled, they embark on a new journey that benefits the environment and the community. Through processes like mulching or composting, these trees are broken down into valuable organic material that enriches soil with essential nutrients. This process not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also plays a crucial role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent contributor to climate change.

For this year’s Christmas tree collection, the County of San Diego and I Love A Clean San Diego make it easy for residents to recycle their real Christmas trees. The countywide Christmas Tree Recycling Guide at WasteFreeSD.org, has a 2024/2025 listing for curbside and drop-off locations in the region.

According to the EPA, organic materials like Christmas trees, food, and yard waste are the number one material sent to landfills, composing two-thirds of the solid waste stream. By giving Christmas trees a second life through recycling, San Diego residents can contribute to a sustainable celebration of the holidays.

Follow some simple tips to ensure they can be recycled.

Christmas Tree Recycling Tips

  • Do not flock or buy flocked trees. Fake snow (flock) contains chemicals that interfere with the composting process
  • If you choose to use tinsel it must be completely removed (and placed in the trash) from your tree before it can be recycled. Best option, don’t buy tinsel. It is a wasteful single-use plastic.
  • Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, and tree stands (metal or plastic) before recycling.
  • For areas where curbside tree recycling is available, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half. It is recommended that pieces be under four feet.
  • Reuse or donate artificial trees that are in good condition. Purchasing new plastic trees create more waste and greenhouse gasses.
  • Don’t let real trees sit around too long after the holidays. They can dry out and become fire hazards.
  • Organic wreaths and similar decorations can be recycled with trees.

About I Love A Clean San Diego

Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education, and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops. As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action to empower everyone to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. Our community is passion in action to maintain and improve the health of the home we love. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

23rd Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day

Join I Love A Clean San Diego to be a part of the largest Earth Week cleanup in all of San Diego county! Volunteers are invited to grab buckets and work gloves and make a difference!

This year, our countywide Creek to Bay will have around 70 + locations for volunteers to choose from, inland and coastal. Each location is hosted by a site captain (a specially trained volunteer) and they will be in charge of managing the volunteers on site, properly disposing of the trash and reporting back totals.

Click the registration link below to see our main page for more details and the map of locations to choose from. Sites are still being finalized and will not be uploaded on to the map on the CreekToBay.org webpage until registration opens on April 1.

Watershed Warriors: Old Ironsides County Park Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup! We will divert litter from our watersheds and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean. We will also be removing invasive species and volunteers can receive extra community service hours for participating!
Our staff will have check-in ready for you on-site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat), and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need!

Click below for more information and to register!

Sunset Sweep: Kensington – Kensington Canyon

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego for a litter cleanup! We will divert litter from our watersheds and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.

Our staff will have check-in ready for you on-site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat), and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need!

Please click the registration button below for more information on this specific cleanup location.

Watershed Warriors: Del Mar – San Dieguito Park

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup! We will divert litter from our watersheds and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.
Our staff will have check-in ready for you on-site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat), and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need!
Please click the registration button below for more information on this specific cleanup location.

Watershed Warriors: Woodhaven County Park

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup! We will divert litter from our watersheds and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.

Our staff will have check-in ready for you on-site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat), and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need!

Invasive species plant removal and weeding opportunities are available at this site. If interested in helping with this service project, volunteers should ask the staff on site about participation in this project on the day. This is a chance to earn additional community service hours! All tools will be provided on-site.

Please click the registration button below for more information on this specific cleanup location.

Litter Free La Mesa: Alvarado Avenue and Stormwater Channel Neighborhood Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of La Mesa for a litter cleanup! We will divert litter from our watersheds and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.

Our staff will have check-in ready for you on site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat) and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need!

Please click the registration button below for more information on this specific cleanup location.

40th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day

The Ocean Conservancy and the California Coastal Commission partners with volunteer organizations, such as I Love A Clean San Diego to create the largest, international cleanup day. I Love A Clean San Diego leads the efforts for this day in San Diego County for the 40th year in a row. Data collected from this event feeds into the world’s largest database on marine debris. Join our efforts this year to be apart of this global event!

This year, our countywide Coastal Cleanup Day will have around 100 + locations for volunteers to choose from, inland and coastal. Each location is hosted by a site captain (a specially trained volunteer) and they will be in charge of managing the volunteers on site, properly disposing of the trash and reporting back totals.

Click the registration link below to see our main page for more details and the map of locations to choose from. Sites are still being finalized and will not be uploaded on to the map on the CleanupDay.org webpage until registration opens on September 1.

22nd Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup Day

Join I Love A Clean San Diego to be a part of the largest Earth Week cleanup in all of San Diego county! Volunteers are invited to grab buckets and work gloves and make a difference!

This year, our countywide Creek to Bay will have around 100 + locations for volunteers to choose from, inland and coastal. Each location is hosted by a site captain (a specially trained volunteer) and they will be in charge of managing the volunteers on site, properly disposing of the trash and reporting back totals.

Click the registration link below to see our main page for more details and the map of locations to choose from. Sites are still being finalized and will not be uploaded on to the map on the CreekToBay.org webpage until registration opens on April 1.

Watershed Warriors: Invasive Species Removal at Harmony Grove (1/13/24)

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego in removing some invasive species along Harmony Grove.

Our staff will have check-in ready for you on site. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes, some form of sun protection (sunscreen or a hat) and bring a water bottle or two! Staff will be providing everything else you will need! After a short orientation and safety talk you will be sent off to clear the area! After the cleanup you can request community service verification in your Community Hub dashboard.

Please click the registration button below for more information on this specific project location.