LA Sanitation & Environment recycles Christmas trees into mulch and compost. (Courtesy photo)

LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) Christmas Tree Recycling program has begun and encourages residents to properly recycle their trees. Recycling Christmas trees and other holiday items are an important way for Angelenos to help the environment and their community.
LASAN, which oversees this annual program for the City, provides residents with safe and environmentally-friendly options for recycling their holiday tree. The program annually recycles between 90,000-100,000 trees. These trees are given a second life at the City’s green waste recycling facilities as mulch and compost and provided to residents for gardening and landscaping purposes.
“Our Christmas Tree Recycling is an important environmental program that has been successful each year,” said Board of Public Works President Aura Garcia. “Angelenos do a great job in properly recycling their trees and we thank them their continued support.”
“Collecting your Christmas trees is a service we provide to City of Los Angeles residents. It’s a win-win as they are kept out of landfills and recycled into mulch and compost that is available free to residents,” said LASAN Director and General Manager Barbara Romero.

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Below are the various options to properly and safely dispose of trees:

  • Green Bin – Residents can follow an easy three-step process to recycle their trees:
  • Remove decorations and stand;
  • Cut the tree into pieces, if needed, to fit into green bin; and
  • Place in green yard trimming bin and put out on your weekly collection day.
  • Curbside – Residents, who are unable to cut and place in their green bin, may   leave their tree at the curb on their weekly collection day.

Drop-off locations –

  • 13 Los Angeles Fire Department stations
  • 6 Recreation and Parks sites: Sunday, January 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Lopez Canyon Environmental Education Center: Any day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Harbor Mulch Facility: Monday- Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents of multifamily buildings are requested to place their Christmas trees curbside on collection day in their neighborhood by LASAN. For collection day information, visit www.lacitysan.org.
Flocked and artificial trees are not recyclable and should be placed in the black bin.
For more information on this program and a complete list of drop-off locations with dates and times, go to lacitysan.org/treerecycle or call the LASAN Customer Care Center at (800) 773-2489.
In addition, cartons, cardboard and gift boxes can be placed in the blue bin. However, it is illegal to place household hazardous waste, such as electronics (i.e. televisions and computers) and batteries into the collection bins. Please take those items to one of seven S.A.F.E. Centers for safe disposal and recycling.