THE LEAFLET

With the closing of the holiday season, it is time to find out best practices for your holiday trees and greenery. Read below to find out where and how to dispose of your holiday tree in the DMV. Also be sure to remember to remove all decorations, lights, and bags from your tree before collection.

Want to know whether the curbside trees you walk by are pines or spruces? Check the needles! On pine trees, needles are attached to the branches in clusters; on spruce trees, needles are attached individually. More ID tips here.

Tree collection programs:

DC

• DC Department of Public Works (DPW) collections for holiday trees and greenery begins January 3^rd through March 2^nd
• For DPW-serviced single-family homes and apartments with three or fewer units.
  • Trees will be collected from the front of the residence at the curb.
  • Items will be collected within 5 days of being set out and will be composted in support of Mayor Bowser’s Zero Waste initiative.
• Drop- off locations:
  • 201 Bryant St. NW (Roll off Box)
  • Guy Mason Recreation Center (3600 Calvert St NW)
  • 2700 South Capital ST., SE (Roll off Box)

Missed collections can call 311 and make a “Christmas Tree Removal- Seasonal” service request from January 3^rd– March 2^nd.

Montgomery County

• For a single-family home or townhomes
  • Montgomery County accepts year-round collections of yard trim. (“Live” Christmas trees and artificial trees cannot be collected as yard trim.)
  • Place trees at the curb by 7am on your recycling collection day.

• For apartments and condominium or businesses
  • Check with your property manager for specific recycling instructions.
• For artificial trees
  • Make a bulk trash pickup request.

Prince George’s County

• Collections run from January 8^th to January 29^th.
• Curbside pick-up
  • Place trees at the curb by 6am on your recycling collection day.
• Drop off locations:
  • Public Convenience Center on Brown Station Rd.

Fairfax County

• Collections run from January 2^nd to January 15^th.
• After January 15^th you can schedule a brush special pickup for natural holiday trees.

Throughout the holidays, District residents are also encouraged to recycle holiday food containers like eggnog cartons, cans, and pie tins. Non-metallic wrapping paper can also be recycled along with 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 RFK Stadium Lot 3, 2400 E Capitol St NE for electronic waste recycling. Check your local hardware stores to see if they recycle string lights as well.