Christmas Trees (Artificial) Alternative ways to recycle Bulky Item Pick-Up / Landfill Drop-off Artificial or Flocked trees cannot be composted and cannot be collected in your organics cart. To dispose of your Artificial or Flocked tree, here are your available options: In the Republic Services Service Area: 1) Fit into your garbage cart. 2) Call Republic Services for your annual bulky item pick-up at (510) 262-7100. 3) Call Republic Services for Fee tree pick up of $18.48 at (510) 262-7100. 4) Self-Haul your Artificial or Flocked tree to Golden Bear Transfer Station at 1 Parr Blvd., Richmond, CA 94801, thru the first weekend in February to drop off for a $13.13 fee. In the El Cerrito Service Area: Non-compostable artificial or flocked trees can be picked up by contacting East Bay Sanitary at 510-237-4321, through the following options: Curbside Collection (for a fee) On-Call Bulky Pick Up (for a fee) Or, here is an alternative option: Donate to Local Organizations Alternative Ways to Recycle Polygroup's Christmas Recycling Program Recycle with Polygroup’s Christmas Recycling Program. Ship them your artificial Christmas trees, old Christmas lights and extension cords, and they will upcycle them into products like bubble wrap and plastic bags. Ways to Reduce Decorate a Potted Tree Instead It may be unconventional, but skipping the traditional Christmas tree (real or fake) altogether and decorating a potted tree you’ve bought or have in your home is a truly green way to have a tree for the holidays. Ways to Reuse Use for Years Make the most of your artificial Christmas tree (and help the environment) by reusing the tree as many times as possible. As long as you take good care of it, it could be with you for years. Donate or Sell Your Tree If your artificial tree is still in good shape, consider donating it to a thrift store rather than throwing it out. You could also consider selling it online. November is the best time, but eBay has hundreds of listings year-round. Reuse for Smaller Decorations If your artificial tree is in rough shape after many years, remove and save the limbs that are still in good condition. They can be used to create smaller holiday decorations such as wreaths. Did You Know? Fake Trees: Greener Than Real Trees? There’s no clear winner in the debate about whether real or fake trees are the more environmentally friendly choice. Some people say it’s fake trees because using them saves cutting down one tree for every year you use them. But others say real trees are best because they can be turned back into mulch, instead of filling up landfills with plastic. The only clear green choice is to skip fake or real trees and get a living, potted tree instead. Inspired by the Toilet Brush The first artificial Christmas tree made from brush bristles was manufactured in 1930 by the Addis Brush Company, using the same machinery that it used to make toilet bowl brushes, the only difference being they dyed the bristles green.
