The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department has announced the commencement of its annual holiday tree recycling program. This initiative provides residents with options for responsibly disposing of their live Christmas trees following the holiday season.
For those who have opted for an artificial tree, it is categorized as junk waste, and there are specific guidelines for its disposal. The city collects junk waste during even-numbered months, and residents should place their artificial trees curbside between 6 p.m. on the Friday before collection and 7 a.m. on the scheduled service day. All decorations, including tinsel, lights, and tree stands, must be removed prior to collection.
Residents may also choose to drop off their artificial trees at any of the following Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Centers:
- North Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center – 9003 North Main Street
- Northwest Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center – 14400 Sommermeyer Street
- Northeast Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center – 5565 Kirkpatrick Boulevard
- South Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center – 5100 Sunbeam Street
- Southeast Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center – 2240 Central Street
For residents with natural trees, the good news is that these trees are biodegradable. After removing all decorations, they can be composted in your yard or repurposed for mulch and landscaping purposes. The recycling program for natural trees kicks off on December 26 and runs through January 23. Residents can drop off their trees at any of the 20 designated recycling locations throughout the city.
It is essential to ensure that all lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, nails, and stands are removed from the trees. Additionally, trees should not be flocked, painted, or artificial, as these cannot be processed for recycling.
Here’s a list of Neighborhood Depository locations where you can recycle your natural tree:
- Central Neighborhood Depository – 2240 Central Street (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Kirkpatrick Neighborhood Depository – 5565 Kirkpatrick (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Sommermeyer Neighborhood Depository – 14400 Sommermeyer (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- N. Main Neighborhood Depository – 9003 N. Main (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Southwest Neighborhood Depository – 10785 Southwest Freeway (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Sunbeam Neighborhood Depository – 5100 Sunbeam (Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Ellington Airport Recycling Drop-off – Highway 3 at Brantley Road (Open Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Westpark Consumer Recycling Center – 5900 Westpark (Open Tuesday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Kingwood Recycling Center – 3210 W. Lake Houston Parkway (Open Saturday and Sundays 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Living Earth Locations (various hours; closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, and Monday, Jan. 19)
