Your Gift to the Earth - Christmas Tree Recycling

The City of Torrance will recycle Christmas trees as part of your curbside collection!

December 28, 2009, through January 14, 2010

To recycle, cut trees in half and remove all tinsel, ornaments and stands.  Then, place the tree at the curb at least four feet from your automated containers by 7:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day.  A separate truck will collect the trees to use as mulch and landfill cover.

Flocked trees are not recyclable and must always be cut up and put into the refuse container for pick up.  Also, trees put out for collection before or after the recycling collection dates must be cut up and placed in the automated refuse container for removal.

Special Note for Residents in the Green Waste Pilot Program Areas:

Please recycle your tree in the green waste container.  Follow the directions above for tree preparation and cut the tree to fit the green waste requirements - no pieces larger than four (4) feet long or four (4) inches in diameter.

The large item collection program will not be available during the Christmas tree recycling program.  Please remember that it takes at least a week to schedule the large item pick up, so please plan accordingly. 

NOTE:  THE LAST DAY TO CALL FOR A LARGE ITEM PICK UP IS DECEMBER 10, 2009, BEFORE 3:00 P.M. FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK ONLY.  NO LARGE ITEM APPOINTMENTS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 21, 2009.   LARGE ITEM REQUESTS WILL RESUME AFTER JANUARY 11, 2010, FOR A PICK UP THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

For multi-family homes and businesses, contact your private waste hauler for their recycling program information.  The City of LA Bureau of Sanitation will have drop-off sites ONE WEEKEND ONLY on Saturday, January 2, 2010, and Sunday, January 3, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Click here for the listing to find the closest drop-off to your location. 

For a more eco-friendly, sustainable Christmas tree option, try a living (potted) Christmas tree at "Living Christmas," a non-profit organization.  Note that the City does not endorse specific businesses but provides options to the public.

For information on recycling Christmas lights and greeting cards, click here.

For more information, call
City of Torrance
Public Works Department
1-310-781-6900