Christmas Tree Recycling In Philadelphia: When, Where, And How

PHILADELPHIA – Now that the holidays are over, many with Christmas trees might be wondering when, where, and how to dispose of their trees in Philadelphia.

And the City of Philadelphia has a few ways for residents to get rid of their trees.

Staring Tuesday, Jan. 2 and ending Saturday, Jan. 12, residents can drop off trees at certain Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The centers are located at:

• 3901 N Delaware Ave.
• 5100 Grays Ave.
• 2601 West Glenwood Avenue
• 3033 South 63rd Street
• Domino Lane and Umbria Street
• State Road and Ashburner Street

Additionally, there are 23 locations across the city where residents can drop off trees on Saturday, Jan. 6 Saturday, Jan. 13 only.

These drop off locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on those days.

Locations are:

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

Lastly, various civic associations in the city are hosting tree recycling events on Jan. 6 and Jan. 7.

Jan. 6 events:

• 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Columbus Square Park, at 13th and Reed St., Sponsored by Passyunk Square Civic Association (location asks for a donation per tree)
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kensington CAPA High School parking lot, at Palmer and Front St., Sponsored by NKCDC and Palmer Doggie Depot (location asks for a donation per tree)
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Palazzo (Former Boy Scout Building), at 22nd and Spring St., Sponsored by Logan Square Neighborhood Association (location asks for a donation per tree)
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clark Park (corner of 43rd & Chester Ave), Sponsored by UC Green (location asks for a donation per tree)
• noon to 3 p.m. Cione Recreation Center at Aramingo and Lehigh Ave., Sponsored by Olde Richmond Civic Association
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Corner of 22nd and Brown Streets, Sponsored by Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park (location asks for a donation per tree)

Jan. 7 events:

• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Gabbie's Garden, parking lot on 7100 block of Chew Ave, 19119, Sponsored by East Mt. Airy Neighbors (location asks for a donation per tree)
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunset Ave at Norwood Fontbonne Academy, Sponsored by Green in Chestnut Hill (GRINCH) and Weavers Way Environment Committee (location asks for a donation per tree)

Trees places curbside will not be recycled, the city said.

Trees placed at the curb will be picked up on regularly scheduled collection day as trash, according to the city.

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.

Contact the Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560 for more info on the recycling program.

This Jan. 14, 2013 photo shows Christmas trees and evergreens brought to Prospect Park, by local residents for use in a recycling program, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The program, run by the New York City Department of Sanitation and the New York City Parks Department, recycles about 150,000 trees a year, turning them into mulch for use in parks, playing fields, community gardens and for residents’ personal use in urban backyards. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)