Philadelphia turns holiday trees into mulch with citywide recycling push
Philadelphia residents can now recycle their Christmas trees through a mix of city-run and community-led programmes. Several local groups will host tree-cycle events across January, offering eco-friendly disposal options for a small fee. The city’s official collection period runs from 5 January to 17 January, with additional drop-off points available.
The city’s Department of Sanitation will collect trees curbside from 5 January to 17 January. Residents can also drop off trees at designated composting sites or sanitation centres during this time. Before disposal, all decorations, lights, and cords must be removed to ensure smooth processing into mulch or soil amendments.
For those preferring private services, Circle Compost and Bennett Compost offer paid pick-ups. Meanwhile, community groups have organised their own events. The Philly Goat Project will hold tree-cycle festivals on three separate dates at two locations, asking for a £20 suggested donation per tree. On 3 January and 10 January, Friends of Schuylkill River Park will accept trees for a £20 donation. The Farm at Awbury Arboretum will run events on 10 January, 17 January, and 24 January, with rain dates for the first two. Laurel Hill West Cemetery will host a single event on 17 January, with no backup date in case of bad weather. Other neighbourhood groups are also taking part. Fishtown Neighbors Association and Passyunk Square Civic Association will both collect trees on 10 January, with suggested donations of £5 each.
The combined efforts of city services and local organisations provide multiple ways to recycle trees sustainably. Residents can choose between free curbside collection, private pick-ups, or community events with small fees. All collected trees will be chipped into mulch or composted for reuse in parks and gardens.
