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How and where to get rid of your Christmas tree in Philly

Where to bring—or leave—your tree when you’re done with it

By Melissa Romero
Philly has a recycling program in place to discard your Christmas tree.
Photo courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

The gifts have been opened, the pies have been consumed, and 2017 has come and gone—the only sign of the holidays remaining is that glorious Christmas tree. While they bring Christmas cheer to many households for a few weeks, by January they’re just in the way. Fortunately, the City of Philadelphia has procedures in place for this sort of thing.

Starting Tuesday, January 2 through Saturday, January 13, the city will run its annual Holiday Recycling Program at the following sanitation and recycling centers, where residents can drop off their trees. All decorations must be removed from the trees and they must be untied.

  1. 3901 N Delaware Avenue
  2. 5100 Grays Avenue
  3. 2601 West Glenwood Avenue
  4. 3033 South 63rd Street
  5. Domino Lane and Umbria Street
  6. State Road and Ashburner Street

On Saturdays from January 6 until January 13, you can also drop off your tree at 23 other sites throughout the city from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • 66th and Haverford Avenue
  • American & Thompson Street
  • 1400 Cottman - Pennway & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec Center)
  • 54th and Woodbine Avenue
  • Graver Lane and Seminole
  • 2901 Princeton Avenue (Mayfair Rec Center)
  • 43rd and Powelton Avenue
  • Cathedral and Ridge Avenue
  • 7901 Ridgeway Street (Fox Chase Rec Center)
  • 72nd and Buist Avenue
  • Washington Lane and Ardleigh
  • 8101 Bustleton Avenue
  • Broad & Christian Street
  • Upsal & Lowber Street
  • 2900 Comly Road (Palmer Playground)
  • 20th and Hartranft Street
  • Fisher and Ogontz Avenue
  • 7231 Torresdale Avenue (Russo Park)
  • 15th and Bigler Street
  • 5th and Chelten Avenue (water reservoir)
  • Intersection of Wayne Avenue and Logan Street
  • Corinthian and Poplar Street
  • Castor and Foulkrod Street

Finally, check this list to see if your neighborhood civic association is hosting a Christmas tree drop-off event.

If you receive curbside trash service, you can leave your tree on the curb for pickup as trash, but it will not be recycled.