Fremont: You Can Still Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Shared by City of Fremont--

Each year, Fremont residents buy thousands of Christmas trees that could end up in landfills if they are not properly composted. You can reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season by planting a live tree or using a reusable tree. Also, Republic Services will pick up your tree at the curb (from single family homes) to compost the tree following the holidays. Christmas trees are only compostable if they are free of all decorations, tinsel, nails, and tree stands (including the wooden kind, nailed to the bottom of the trunk). Any tree that is flocked with artificial snow, contains fire retardant, decorations, or tinsel cannot be composted and will be disposed of in the landfill. Here are a few different ways you can compost your Christmas tree in Fremont:

A. Green Organics Cart

• Cut compostable tree so pieces fit loosely in your organics cart with the lid closed.
• Place the cart at the curb on your scheduled collection day.

B. Gutter

• If your tree is less than 6 feet in length, place the whole tree in the gutter on your collection day.
• If your tree is over 6 feet in length, cut the tree in half and place both halves in the gutter on your collection day.
• Make sure your tree is in the gutter, not on the sidewalk.
• Check that your tree is free of all decorations when placed in the gutter; this helps keep our storm drains litter-free.

C. Garbage Cart (Please use this only as the last option. Compost your tree first, if possible.)

• If the tree contains flocking or decorations, cut it up so pieces fit loosely in your garbage cart with the lid closed.
• Place the blue or black garbage cart at the curb on your scheduled collection day.
• If you live in a multifamily complex please contact your property manager to learn how your tree can be properly composted.

D. Drop off at Republic Services Customer Service Center

• You can also drop off your tree at the Republic Services Customer Service Center, located at 42600 Boyce Rd. until January 29.
• The customer service center is open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Compostable trees may be dropped off for free. There is a $5 charge to drop trees with flocking, fire retardant, decorations, or tinsel.
• If you have any questions regarding pick-up or drop-off service, please call Republic Services at 510-657-3500.