Philadelphia sanitation officials have announced alterations to the city’s waste collection schedule as the holiday season comes to a close. In addition, the annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program will commence in early January, providing residents with environmentally friendly disposal options for live trees. The changes aim to facilitate proper recycling and waste management during this busy period.
Holiday Collection Schedule Changes
The City of Philadelphia will observe a closure on January 1 for the New Year’s holiday, which means there will be no trash or recycling collections that day. Residents typically scheduled for collection on Thursday or Friday must adjust their plans, placing materials out for collection one day later than usual. Households that receive twice-weekly service will have only one pickup during the holiday week, with trash and recycling collected on their first scheduled day.
Crystal Jacobs Shipman, the city’s Sanitation Commissioner, emphasized the importance of responsible recycling during this peak time. She noted that the post-holiday period is one of the busiest for the city’s waste management system and encouraged residents to adhere to recycling guidelines to help minimize costs and reduce landfill waste.
Christmas Tree Recycling Program Details
The residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program will run from January 5 to January 17, marking its 37th year. This initiative offers a sustainable alternative for disposing of live trees. Residents can drop off 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 locations include:
- 3033 South 63rd Street
- 2601 West Glenwood Avenue
- Domino Lane and Umbria Street
- 3901 North Delaware Avenue
- State Road and Ashburner Street
- 5100 Grays Avenue
Additionally, trees will be accepted at 15 designated drop-off locations on Saturdays, January 10 and January 17, from 09:00 to 15:00. City officials have stressed that trees must be completely free of decorations and ties to qualify for recycling. Any trees with ornaments, lights, tinsel, or other materials attached cannot be processed.
This recycling program is exclusively available to residents receiving city-collected trash and recycling services. Those without such services must arrange for private disposal of their discarded trees. Households unable to participate in the recycling program may place their trees out as trash on their regular collection day.
Officials have also encouraged residents to consider alternative uses for their trees. For example, small pine limbs and needles can provide winter mulch for sensitive plants, while the trees can be composted. However, burning trees indoors is not advised, as the sap can create unpleasant odors and lead to creosote buildup in chimneys, which increases fire risk.
Amid the holiday celebrations, residents are reminded to recycle common items such as non-metallic wrapping paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, paper bags, catalogs, and calendars. Reusing materials like gift bags, ribbons, bows, newspapers, and plastic bags can further reduce waste. Minimizing excess packaging helps keep materials out of landfills throughout the year.
For additional information on proper holiday recycling practices, residents can refer to the city’s recycling guide.
