Christmas has come and passed and soon it's time to take down those decorations — and now what to do to with the tree? The city has a few options to "treecycle" your Christmas tree.
DSNY Curbside Collection
The New York City Department of Sanitation is beginning its annual curbside collection of Christmas trees today, Wednesday, January 2, until Saturday, January 12.
Brooklynites should remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments from the trees before they are put out for collection. Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees left on the curb will be chipped, mixed with leaves and recycled into rich compost for the city's parks, institutions and community gardens.
And the city isn't only picking up "real" trees. Those needing to get rid of mostly plastic and metal fake Christmas trees should consider selling or donating them, suggested the sanitation department. Donation opportunities may be found here. If donation or resale is not an option, residents should remove all ornaments and lights, and put them out next to their recycling on regular recycling days.
"While Christmas trees are in our homes for only a short period of time, recycling can give them a longer life," said Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. "After collection, the trees are turned into compost to give life to plants in our city's parks and community gardens. We thank all residents for taking part in the program."
In 2017, the DSNY collected more than 200,000 Christmas trees for "treecycling."
Mulchfest
Brooklynites can also join NYC Parks and GreenNYC to recycle their Christmas trees into wood chips.
With 23 drop-off sites in Brooklyn, including parks and Greenthumb gardens, Brooklynites can drop off their trees between January, 4 and 13.Dates have been extended this year for those who celebrate Three Kings Day.
NYC Parks provides additional options for bidding "fir-well" to your tree at Mulchfest which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, January 12 and 13. At nine Brooklyn sites, visitors can pick up free mulch to use in their own backyards or to make a winter bed for street trees.
"We encourage New Yorkers to bid their tree "fir-well" at Mulchfest, making it a part of their Holiday tradition," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. "By making greening a family activity, we all can help reduce waste, and protect and nourish other trees and plants across the city year-round."
Below see a list of all chipping sites in Brooklyn — mulch is available at the chipping sites marked with an asterisk (*):
| Location | Address | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing Garden | Columbia Street and Carroll Street | Drop-off only |
| Brooklyn Bridge Park* | Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, right under the Brooklyn Bridge | Chipping |
| Brower Park | Brooklyn Avenue at Prospect Place | Drop-off only |
| Cobble Hill Park* | Clinton Street and Verandah Place | Chipping |
| Coffey Park | Dwight Street and Verona Street | Drop-off only |
| East NY Farms | 622 Schenk Ave. | Drop-off only |
| Fort Greene Park* | Washington Park and Myrtle Avenue | Chipping |
| Green Space at President Street | 222 Fifth Ave. | Drop-off only |
| Herbert Von King Park | Marcy Avenue and Lafayette Avenue | Drop-off only |
| Linden Park | Linden Boulevard and Vermont Street | Drop-off only |
| Maria Hernandez Park* | Suydam Street and Knickerbocker Avenue | Chipping |
| Marine Park* | East 33rd Street and Avenue U | Chipping |
| McCarren Park* | Lorimer Street and Driggs Avenue | Chipping |
| McGolrick Park | Monitor Street and Driggs Avenue | Drop-off only |
| Owl's Head Park* | 68th Street and Colonial Road | Chipping |
| Prospect Park* | Third Street and Prospect Park West | Chipping |
| Prospect Park* | Park circle at Parkside Avenue | Chipping |
| Prospect Park | Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue | Drop-off only |
| Red Hook Park | Lorraine Street and Henry Street | Drop-off only |
| St. John's Recreation Center | Bergen Street between Troy Avenue and Schenectady Avenue | Drop-off only |
| Sunset Park | 44th Street and 6th Avenue | Drop-off only |
| Transmitter Park | 10 Kent St. | Drop-off only |
| Washington Park | Third Street and Fifth Avenue | Drop-off only |
Please remember to remove all lights, ornaments and netting before bringing the tree to a chipping site. Bags will be provided if you wish to take some free mulch home.
Thank you very mulch and happy chipping!
