How to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree for Free in the Bay Area

For many, these first days of the new year are a time to take a breath after the holidays and finally clear your home of gift wrap, decorations and holiday lights — and, most importantly, your Christmas tree.

Even if you’re one of those people who gets sad to see your tree go, it’s probably best to say goodbye earlier rather than later. Not only is tree disposal is a lot easier (and cheaper) this time of year, but your festive fir will unfortunately become increasingly flammable as it dries out — so much so that over 30% of Christmas tree fires happen in January, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

• Jump to: What if I have an artificial tree?

Most Bay Area cities have set up services for residents to compost their old Christmas trees. Before taking out your tree, make sure to remove the stand and any wires, decorations or ribbons. Many waste management companies are also asking families to cut their trees in half or into smaller pieces if they have larger trees, so have tools ready if this is your situation.

Keep reading to find out your city’s rules on recycling your Christmas tree for free, or jump straight to:

• Alameda County Christmas tree disposal
• Contra Costa County Christmas tree disposal
• Marin County Christmas tree disposal
• San Francisco Christmas tree disposal
• Santa Clara County Christmas tree disposal
• San Mateo County Christmas tree disposal
• Solano County Christmas tree disposal
• Sonoma County Christmas tree disposal

Alameda County

Berkeley: City officials ask residents not to place their trees on the curb. Instead, Berkeley residents should cut up their trees so it fits into their compost carts. If you have a flocked or artificial tree that’s not compostable, you must fit that into your gray trash cart. If you don’t have tools to cut up your tree, you can borrow some from the free Berkeley Tool Lending Library.

You can also drop off your tree whole at the city’s transfer station at 1201 Second Street. Tree drop-offs are free through the end of January and will go up to $31.25 after that.  The transfer station will also accept flocked and artificial trees for $42 — and that price stays the same regardless of the date you bring the tree in.

Oakland: Waste Management is collecting trees through Jan. 17. If you live in a house or an apartment building with fewer than 100 units, you can place your tree at the curb when your compost is picked up.

However, if your apartment building has more than 100 units, look out for a message from your property manager, as they should have received a large container from Waste Management (known as a “roll-off box”) where you can place your tree.

After Jan. 17, you will have to cut your tree into pieces so it fits into your compost cart.

Hayward: Waste Management will collect Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January, on your regular pickup day. If you live in a single-family home, a duplex, or an apartment building with fewer than 25 units, you can place your tree on the curb when your trash is usually collected.

If you live in an apartment complex with more than 25 units, contact your property manager, as they should have received a container from Waste Management where residents can place their trees.

Keep in mind that Waste Management asks residents with trees taller than 5 feet to cut them into shorter chunks before placing them on the curb. So, if your tree is a big one, get the saw ready.

After the first two weeks of January, Waste Management will no longer collect trees from the curb, and you will have to cut your tree up so it fits into your green compost cart.

Contra Costa County

Richmond: Residents must fit their tree into their green compost cart for pickup on their regular trash day. Republic Services will not pick up trees that are placed on the curb. It’s best to cut your tree into chunks that are 3 feet or shorter.

You can also drop off your tree for free at the Golden Bear Transfer Station on 1 Parr Blvd. through the first weekend of February. The transfer station will also accept artificial and flocked trees for $12.75 each. Keep in mind that this service is only available to Richmond residents, and you will be asked to show proof of residency (e.g., your ID or driver’s license) when dropping off your tree.

Marin County

Several Marin County locations accept in-person Christmas tree drop-offs for little or no cost: See the full list, in English and Spanish, of locations where you can drop  off a Christmas tree in Marin county. 

San Rafael: Marin Sanitary Services (MSS) will collect Christmas trees from Jan. 6 through Jan. 17. Residents can place their trees on the curb the night before their trash is usually collected. Any tree taller than 6 feet has to be cut in half.

After Jan. 17, MSS will still pick up your tree, but for a $5 fee. You can also drop off your tree for free at the Marin Resource Recovery Center at 565 Jacoby Street for the whole month of January. Flocked and artificial trees are accepted there as well, but for a fee.

MSS also provides the same services for residents of San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, Kent Woodlands, Fairfax, Greenbrae and Larkspur.

Mill Valley: Mill Valley Refuse Service (MVRS) will pick up trees starting Jan. 2. Residents should place their trees at the curb whenever their compost is usually picked up.

MVRS also offers the same services to residents in Almonte, Alto, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Homestead, Strawberry and Tiburon.

San Francisco County

Recology will collect Christmas trees from Jan. 2 through Jan. 17. Residents should place their trees next to their compost bins the night before their trash is collected. Trees taller than 6 feet should first be cut in half.

You can also drop off your tree at the transfer station located at 501 Tunnel Avenue. Call ahead of time — (415) 330-1400 — to confirm availability and potential disposal costs for your tree.

San Mateo County

Recology San Mateo will pick up Christmas trees through Jan. 31. Residents must place their trees next to their green compost cart — not at the curb. Trees taller than 8 feet need to be cut in half.

After January, trees must be cut into pieces and be able to fit in the compost bin with the lid closed.

Santa Clara County

San José: Residents can place their Christmas tree on the curb the night before their trash is usually collected. If you have a large tree, make sure you cut it into 5-foot pieces or shorter. If you live in an apartment complex, ask your property manager if you should place it in a different location.

Sunnyvale: City officials are asking residents to place their trees out on the curb ahead of regular trash pickup, as long as the tree has been chopped down to 4-foot chunks.

Mountain View: Residents with smaller trees can cut them up and place the pieces inside their compost bins for regular trash pick up, while families with bigger trees should first cut them up into pieces smaller than 5 feet. Residents should leave their trees alongside street gutters next to their driveways. City officials emphasize the tree should be “easily seen by drivers.” Residents have until Jan. 17 to leave out their trees. After that date, they will have to contact Recology Mountain View by calling 650-967-3034 or emailing ContactUsRMV@recology.com

Solano County

Recology will pick up trees left at the curb starting Jan. 2. Trees should be cut down into pieces shorter than 3 feet.

You can also drop off your tree for free at VALCORE Recycling, a local nonprofit that helps raise funds for community organizations in Solano County. The VALCORE drop-off site is located at 38 Sheridan St. and is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sonoma County

Santa Rosa: Recology will pick up Christmas trees left at the curb from Dec. 26 to Jan. 10. After Jan. 10, residents must cut their trees and fit them into their green compost cart for pickup on their regular trash day. You can also drop off your tree at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds until Jan. 17 (call ahead to confirm prices.)

Recology covers most of Sonoma County, so these rules apply to residents in Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sebastopol and Healdsburg.

What about artificial trees?

If you’re looking to throw out an artificial tree, break it apart and separate everything into three piles: the base and pole, branches, and decorations. The base and pole are usually made of metal and can be recycled. Artificial tree branches are not made of recyclable materials, so you can toss them in the trash, and if you’re not planning to save your holiday decorations, make sure to further separate them into either trash or recycling.

Keep in mind: If your tree is covered in artificial snow (what’s known as a “flocked tree”) it cannot be composted, and will be taken to a landfill instead.

This article includes reporting from KQED’s Sara Hossaini.