Streets Department's 2016 Christmas Tree Recycling Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Streets Commissioner David J. Perri announced today the Residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program will run from Monday, January 4 through Saturday, January 16. The 27-year old program was developed by the Streets Department's Sanitation Division to provide citizens with an environmentally beneficial alternative for the disposal of used trees.

Citizens who wish to drop off their trees to be recycled may take them to the Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers which are open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday through Saturday and located at:

· 3033 S. 63rd Street

· Domino Lane & Umbria Street

· State Road & Ashburner Street

· 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue

· 5100 Grays Avenue

· 3901 N. Delaware Avenue

There will also be 23 designated locations to drop off Christmas trees throughout the city on Saturday, January 9 and January 16 from 9am to 3pm. To find the location nearest to you, please visit http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday/2016-christmas-tree-recycling-program.

For a successful recycling program, Streets Commissioner Perri urges citizens to make sure that trees are free of all decorations and untied. Christmas trees with decorations cannot be recycled.

Christmas trees present a seasonal addition to the City's waste stream. By recycling them and returning them to the earth, we reduce our waste costs and create a valuable resource.

In addition to recycling trees, residents may follow these tips to re-use their trees:

Small pine limbs and needles are good winter mulch material for sensitive plants.

Trees can also become backyard compost.

Trees should not be burned in a fireplace. The sap from the tree creates foul odors and can coat the chimney with creosote which can cause a fire.

· Civic associations often offer additional drop-off locations. Check with your local civic association on their Christmas tree recycling programs. A list of groups can also be found at http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday/2016-christmas-tree-recycling-program.

For those households that cannot participate in the recycling program, trees placed at the curb will be picked up on regularly scheduled collection day as trash. Trees set out for pickup are sent to a waste-to-energy plant as does all rubbish collected at the curb.

As always, the program is for citizens who receive City collected trash and recycling services. Vendors are responsible for making arrangements for the private disposal of their discarded trees.

Tree recycling information can be found at http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday. For additional information regarding the Christmas Tree Recycling Program, or any other Streets Department service, please contact the Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560, visit us online at www.philadelphiastreets.com. For all City services, call 3-1-1.

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2016 Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Christmas Tree Drop -Off Locations

Christmas tree drop-off is offered city-wide on Saturday, January 9, 2016 and Saturday, January 16, 2016 at these 23 locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Drop-Off Locations

66th & Haverford Ave.

54th & Woodbine Ave.

43rd & Powelton Ave.

72nd & Buist Ave.

Broad & Christian St.

20th & Hartranft St.

15th & Bigler St.