PHILADELPHIA – As the holiday season is upon us, the Sanitation Department offers a few reminders on how to include RECYCLING RIGHT in your holiday to-do list, announced Sanitation Commissioner Crystal Jacobs Shipman.

The city will be closed on Wednesdays, December 25 and January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. There will be no trash and recycling collections on those days. Residents whose normal collection days are Wednesday through Friday must set their materials out one day later than normal. Residents that receive twice weekly collections will not receive a second collection during these weeks. Trash and recycling materials will be picked up on the first collection only.

The annual residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs from Monday, January 6 through Saturday, January 18. The 36-year-old program provides residents with an environmentally friendly alternative for the disposal of live trees. Residents who wish to drop off their trees to be recycled may take them to any of the six Sanitation Convenience Centers listed below open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

3033 S. 63rd Street                                     2601 W. Glenwood Avenue

Domino Lane & Umbria Street                  3901 N. Delaware Avenue

State Road & Ashburner Street                  5100 Grays Avenue

Residents may also drop their trees off at 13 designated locations on Saturdays, January11 and January 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas trees dropped off must be free of all decorations and untied. Trees with decorations cannot be recycled. Christmas trees present a seasonal addition to the City’s waste stream.  By recycling them and returning them to the earth, we reduce our waste costs and create a valuable resource.

As always, the program is for residents who receive City collected trash and recycling services. Vendors are responsible for making arrangements for the private disposal of their discarded trees.

For those households that cannot participate in the recycling program, trees set out for pick up will be collected on regularly scheduled collection day as trash.

In addition to recycling trees, residents may follow these tips to re-use their trees:

  • Small pine limbs and needles are good winter mulch material for sensitive plants.
  • Trees can also become backyard compost.
  • Trees should not be burned in a fireplace.  The sap from the tree creates foul odors and can coat the chimney with creosote which can cause a fire.
  • Check with your local civic associations that offer additional drop-off locations.
  • Follow the Philadelphia Fire Department for holiday safety tips.

Typically, during the holiday season more waste is generated. In addition to Christmas trees, there are many more items to recycle during this holiday season. Citizens are reminded of the three “Rs” as a convenient way to practice recycling during the holiday season and year-round. View more recycling Dos and Don’ts on the city’s holiday recycling guide .

Recycle:

  • Wrapping paper (except glitter or metallic paper) and gift tags.
  • Glass wine and champagne bottles by rinsing and drying them out.
  • Soda and beer cans, paper grocery bags, department store sale flyers and catalogs, telephone books and calendars.

Reuse:

  • Newspaper
  • Ribbons and bows
  • Plastic gift cards
  • Plastic grocery and gift bags
  • Gift bags

Reduce:

  • Waste that reaches our landfills
  • Use less tissue paper and decorations in your packaging
  • Use less wrapping paper when wrapping your gifts

Learn more recycling Dos and Don’ts as part of the City’s Recycling Program.

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