Mayor Bowser Announces Start of 2023 Christmas Tree and Greenery Collection

(Washington, DC) – The Bowser Administration, led by the Department of Public Works (DPW), announces that Christmas trees and holiday greenery will be collected between Tuesday, January 3 and Friday, March 3 from the front of residences that receive DPW services. Items collected during this period will be composted.

Trees and greenery are typically collected by DPW crews within five days of set out. After March 3, composting is not guaranteed for trees and greenery because they are then collected with residential trash. Using the tree and greenery collection service during this eight-week period will reduce the amount of such materials in landfills.

Residents can also drop their Christmas trees and/or holiday greenery at one of two locations from January 3, 2023, through March 3, 2023:

• Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Road NE)
• Guy Mason Recreation Center (3600 Calvert Street NW)

Here are the highlights of the 2023 collection program:

• Collection for DPW-serviced households. Residents who receive collection service from DPW (single-family homes and apartment buildings containing three or fewer housing units) are eligible for Christmas tree and holiday greenery collection. Households not serviced by DPW (for example, larger apartment buildings) should consult with their landlord/property owner for collection procedures.
• Where to place trees and greenery. DPW will collect trees and greenery from the front of the home. Residents should place those items in their tree box or at curbside.
• Remove decorations. When setting items out for collection, residents should remove all ornaments and lights. Do not put the trees and greenery in a bag.
• Trees and greenery become free compost for residents. Trees and greenery collected through March 3, 2023 will be composted. District residents can collect up to five 32-gallon bags of the free compost year-round while supplies last at the Benning Road Transfer Station. Residents must bring their own bags.
• Composting of trees and greenery not guaranteed after March 3. After March 3, residents can place trees and greenery at their normal point of collection for trash and recycling. Note that those items will be picked up with the trash as space in DPW trucks permits.
• Steps if tree and/or greenery were not collected. Contact 311 to create a “Christmas Tree Removal – Seasonal” service request if trees and greenery are not collected more than five days after set out.

“Christmas trees and greenery are some of the ways we beautify our homes during the holidays,” said Interim DPW Director Michael Carter. “The holiday tree and greenery collection program provides an opportunity to reuse tress and greenery for composting, which furthers Mayor Bowser’s Zero Waste goals.”

Throughout the holidays, District residents are also encouraged to recycle the following items: holiday food containers like eggnog cartons, cans, and pie tins; non-metallic wrapping paper; and empty, flattened gift and cardboard shipping boxes. Holiday ribbon is not recyclable and should be placed in the trash. String LED lights can be dropped off at the Benning Road Transfer Station for electronic waste recycling on Saturdays from 7 am until 2 pm.

Visit dpw.dc.gov for more information about holiday tree and greenery collection. For more information on recycling this holiday season, visit zerowaste.dc.gov

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