The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced Monday that it will collect holiday trees and greenery from homes between January 11 and February 5, 2021 for recycling purposes.
Residents who receive curbside collection service from the Department have the option of leaving their holiday trees where they normally place their trash to be picked up on their regular trash day. No appointments will be required this year.
Those living in households that are not serviced by DPW such as apartment buildings can get information from their landlord or property owner about the collection.
Alternatively, the public can use four drop-off locations to benefit from DPW’s service. Residents are asked to remove all ornaments and lights on their trees in either case, and not to put them in a bag.
The material collected through February 5 will be composted, and will be distributed to residents year-round for free at the Fort Totten Transfer Station. After that date, trees and greenery will still be collected from the trash spots, however, composting is not guaranteed.
“We are in the season of giving and being kind, not just to each other but to the environment as well,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart in a press release from Mayor Muriel Bowser‘s office. “While DPW works to return holiday trees back to the earth, we ask residents to help us achieve our zero waste goals by also recycling other items traditionally in use this time of year.”
DPW employees collecting trees and greenery will be following coronavirus safety guidelines such as wearing wear masks and social distancing. Vehicles and equipment will be disinfected before and after every use, according to the statement.
DPW also encourages residents to recycle other holiday items like food containers, non-metallic wrapping paper and empty, flattened gift and cardboard shipping boxes. String LED lights can be dropped off at the Fort Totten Transfer Station for electronic waste recycling, DPW explains.
If you need further details on recycling this holiday season, you can visit zerowaste.dc.gov.