How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas TreesWhere and How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees in Massachusetts after Christmas 2023 and in January 2024

How to Recycle or Dispose of Christmas Trees

In many urban and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected from curbside during the first 2 weeks in January. Be sure to remove all remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other NON-Organic decorative materials and other materials that are not part of the original tree. This includes tree stands also. Flocked trees are usually accepted, but not artificial trees. Large trees (larger than the standard 6 - 7 ft tree) may need to be cut in half to be acceptable by your garbage hauler. But scrroll down this page for more specific information and local links.

What happens to the trees? In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available, free to city or county residents. Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and could cause a chimney fire.

Tips: Always follow the links (usually the name of the city or county) below for updated information, as these agencies often wait until the last minute to change dates or update their information (it's government, remember?). If your area is Grinding Christmas trees into mulchnot specifically mentioned below, contact your trash collection agency and inquire!

Related information:

See this page for local options to easily recycle your Christmas holiday lights

If it has just snowed; see this page about how to make snocones from real snow! Your kids will love it!

Click here for the list of winter sleigh ride locations!

See our easy recipes to make a Chocolate Yule log and click here to make your own low-fat, low calorie but delicious Egg Nog ! Then come back to our other website in March to find a local Easter Egg Hunt for your children ! There are affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure policy to learn more.

Massachusetts: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2024

  • Statewide: If you do not see your city in the list below, go to the Massachusetts state website , you can enter your city and find the local public works dept contact information to see what their options are. Tree-cycle after the holidays. More than 200 Massachusetts towns and cities provide for the collection of cut Christmas trees, which are then recycled into compost or mulch.
  • Agawam, MA - Christmas trees will be collected on the same day as your scheduled trash collection during the first full week of January. Christmas trees 7'or larger must be cut in half and placed on the tree belt no earlier than 7 am of the collection day listed above. Trees in plastic bags will not be collected.
  • Boston, Massachusetts - The Department of Public Works typically collects and recycles Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January. Check the Trash and Recycling Day app to find your tree collection dates. Please place your trees on the curb by 6 a.m., without ornaments or lights. You should put your tree out on your regular trash and recycling collection day. If your apartment building puts their trash in a dumpster, trees should be placed next to the dumpster for collection. If you miss this, the city collects Christmas trees for recycling in January: call 635-4959, Public Works will collect Christmas trees for composting from January 7-18. Remove all ornaments, decorations, and stands from trees and place trees at the curb by 7 am on your recycling day. Do not put trees in plastic bags, and don't forget to recycle your holiday catalogs and wrapping paper as well. Note: Public Works will pick-up trees beginning around January 7 on your recycling day. Look Up Your Recycling Day . Click here for locations, updated information and more details. For further information, please call the Boston Recycling Program at (617) 635-4900.
  • Holiday Tree RecyclingCambridge, MA - Curbside collection of bare Christmas trees (weather permitting), Holiday trees are collected for recycling the first two weeks in January. Remove decorations. Do not bag. Decorations and stands must be removed and trees should not be in a plastic bag. Place bare trees at the curb by 7 am on collection day or after 6 pm the night before. Residents can also bring bare trees to the Cambridge Recycling Center during open hours (Tues/Thurs 4 pm-7:30pm and Sat 9 am to 4pm) from December 26th to January 31st. If your yard waste, holiday tree, trash, or recycling are missed, please let us know immediately by submitting a service request via the Commonwealth Connect app for iPhone and Android or at Cambridge MA Commonwealth Connec . Recycling Christmas trees prevents them from getting buried in the landfill. Trees are recycled into mulch. Every year, City residents recycle thousands of trees. Click here for locations, updated information and more details.
  • Chicopee, MA - Residents can drop off Christmas trees at the Chicopee Sanitary Landfill.
  • Concord, Massachusetts - Christmas Trees may be brought to the Composting Site on the dates on their website (usually it's Fridays and Saturdays until mid-January). If you miss one of these scheduled events Christmas Trees may be brought to the Composting Site whenever it is open April through November. Wreaths and garlands can not be recycled because of the wire used to shape them. Please dispose of wreaths and garlands with your regular trash. Location:
    Walden Pond Compost Site, 755 Walden Street, Concord, MA. Directions: On Route 126, just across Route 2, on your left before you reach Walden Pond.
  • East Longmeadow, MA - Christmas tree (natural) or "Holiday Tree" Collection This item may be accepted for curbside Holiday Tree collection or for drop-off at your municipal transfer station/recycling center. Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags before recycling. You can also check your local Massachusetts recycling website to to learn about how to recycle your holiday tree yourself. .
  • Fairhaven, MA - several days in mid January, Christmas Tree pick up is one day after regular rubbish pick up day Place trees at curbside by 7 am on day of pick up. Remove all ornaments and tinsel. DO NOT PUT IN PLASTIC BAGS. Missed trees may be dropped off at the gate at the Recycle Center, 5 Arsene Street.
  • Foxboro, MA - Curbside - put Christmas trees out on the curb on regular trash pickup days between from Monday after New Year's Day through mid- January. Always remove decorations, lights and stands.
  • Framingham, MA - Department of Public Works says residents can place Christmas trees out on the curbside to be collected on their trash and recycling days during the second full week in January. Artificial trees can be disposed of at the city's recycling drop-off center or through bulky item collection.
  • Greenfield, MA - Residents have two options: Greenfield residents who receive curbside trash collection can place Christmas trees curbside for collection at no charge. The curbside collection period will be for 2 weeks beginning January 2nd through mid-January. OR
    Christmas trees can be brought to the Transfer Station at no charge for Greenfield Residents. There is a ten dollar charge for non-Greenfield residents.
    Transfer Station Hours: Tuesday through Friday 11:00 to 2:30; and Saturdays * 7:30 to 2:00 p.m. (Will be closed Tuesday, January 1st)
    * Beginning mid-January the Saturday hours will be 7:30 to 12:00.
  • Haverhill, MA - Christmas Trees are to be placed curbside BEFORE the second Saturday in January. (may need to confirm by phone- they don't always update their website)
    To ensure proper collection, please have curbside by 6:00 AM. No plastic wrap, no string lights, no ornaments and no tree stands! This is for natural (LIVE) trees only... no plastic (FAKE) trees... There is NO drop-off option.. Please limit the number of trees to 1 per household. There is no need to setup an appointment Lowell MA Christmas tree recycling
  • Holyoke, MA - Phone: (413) 322-5510. Curbside pick-up during the first two weeks of January; Your Christmas Tree will be picked up at curbside sometime during the first three weeks of January. The trees will be collected on your trash day. Your Christmas Tree needs to be cleaned of all ornaments, lights, tinsel etc. Avoid leaving the tree in the snow bank during a snow storm, because if the tree becomes frozen in the snow bank we will be unable to pick it up for disposal. They will also have two tree drop off days (weather pending) usually on the second Saturday and Sunday in January, after New Year's Day,
  • Lowell, MA - Christmas Tree drop-off: Lowell does not provide curbside collection of Christmas Trees.
    Lowell BSA Troop 23 is offering curbside collection (see the Boy Scout Troop 23 facebook page ; You can send an e-mail to [email protected] , or you can call and leave a message at 978-743-9627. Or sign up on their form or see the Troop 23 website There are 9 convenient neighborhood drop-off sites (see the map on this page ). ​Drop-off at one of nine sites below from December 26th through the second Saturday in January
    North Common, Cawley Stadium, Shedd Park, South Common, Hadley Park, Callery Park, Gage Field, Elks Club, Ventura Field.
  • Marion, Massachusetts -Christmas Tree Disposal - Christmas tree pick-up is scheduled for early January, have your tree on the curb before the second Monday in January. Christmas trees should be placed curbside by 7 am on the day of your regularly scheduled rubbish pick-up. Please be sure trees are free of all ornaments and tinsel. If you have any questions, please contact the DPW Office at (508) 748-3540 ext. 101.
  • Marlborough, MA - In past years there were Curbside Christmas Tree Collections But starting 2023,there is no curbside service this year, but for the first 3 weeks in January, you can take your tree to any of these locations. Questions: Email: [email protected]. or Phone: (508) 624-6910.
    - Memorial Beach parking lot - Causeway Street (off Hosmer Street)near the intersection of Causeway and Hosmer streets
    - Back entrance road to Ghiloni Park - 265 Boston Post Road East (entrance near Fire Station 3)
    - Parking Area across from Kelleher Field - 45 Jefferson Street
    - Jericho parking lot - 410 Brigham Street
    - Felton Conservation Area parking lot - 798 Elm Street (near the Fish and Game/Muddy lane)
    Please contact DPW with any questions at 508-624-6910, or by e-mail at [email protected].
  • Newton, MA - Christmas tree pick-up is scheduled for the first and second week of January. Christmas trees should be placed curbside by 7 am on the day of your regularly scheduled rubbish pick-up. Trees are also accepted at the Transfer Station on Benson Brook Road. Please be sure trees are stripped of decorations. The City of Newton collects Christmas trees for recycling during the first two weeks of January. Collection occurs on your collection day only. Place your un-decorated Christmas tree out to the curb by 7 am on your collection day during this time. All decorations and lights must be removed and trees cannot be in a bag. After this time, the City will not collect Christmas trees. Residents will be responsible for disposing of their own trees. They will NOT be accepted as bulk waste. Or, residents can wait until April and prepare the tree according to yard waste guidelines. Trees must be free of all ornaments and tinsel. If you have any questions, please contact the DPW Office at (508) 748-3540 ext. 101.Or wait until April and prepare the tree according to yard waste guidelines . For more Waste-Free Holiday tips, check out our guide! Residents can also request a Christmas tree pickup using 311 or calling the city's customer service if they miss the original collection window. Newton residents can even wait until April and prepare the tree to be picked up according to the city's yard waste guidelines.
  • North Reading, MA -
    North Reading will be collecting Christmas trees on Saturday, in  early January (Date based on last year's date, I have not been able to confirm it yet). Residents are asked to have their trees out on the curb by 6:30 a.m.
  • Northampton, MA - Consult our Holiday Waste Guide (pdf) to help reduce your household waste this holiday season. The City of Northampton's holiday tree collection (on-site chipping) will take place from 9am to 12 pm on the two Saturdays, after January 1st, at Smith Vocational High School. Details will be posted in mid-December. Trees can be brought to Smith Vocational High School. All trees must be clear of ornaments, lights, tinsel, plastic bags, netting and metal wires. Trees will be chipped on site. For more information contact: The Northampton DPW at 587-1570.
  • Pittsfield, Massachusetts - Pittsfield residents have two options for disposing of their Christmas Trees:
    Option No. 1 - Residents may take their tree to Covanta Pittsfield on Hubbard Avenue at no cost. Please remove all the tinsel, lights, and ornaments from the trees, so they can be recycled.
    Option No. 2 - Residents may place their tree with their trash on the curb to collect as part of regular trash collection. tree pickup will accompany the regular trash pickup schedule. In the event that the truck is full, this may result in a bypass and will require pick up the following week. Residents have the option of leaving their trees curbside until the next pick-up date. If trees are left out, please ensure that they do not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
  • Plymouth MA Christmas tree collection
  • Plymouth, MA - Drop off trees: See their annual announcement. It is usually on the second and third Saturday and Sunday a January. As an alternative: Balboni's Landscape Supply and Green Waste Reprocessing, 135 Camelot Drive, will accept Plymouth residents' Christmas trees for recycling, free, from December 27 to mid-January. Proof of Plymouth residency is required. Only clean trees with all ornaments, tinsel, lights and wire must removed will be accepted. Wreaths are not accepted for recycling. Each resident participating in the Christmas Tree Recycling Program will receive (Prices may have changed!) $20 worth of coupons, which can be redeemed at Balboni's for products or future green waste disposal.
  • Reading, MA - Christmas Tree Recycling: This January, the Town is providing two options for recycling Christmas Trees.
    Residents who want to recycle their Christmas trees are asked to bring them to Reading, MA compost facility when open it is open.
     In addition, JRM will collect Christmas trees curbside on your regular rubbish collection day during the week in mid-January.. All decorations, including tinsel, must be removed from the trees. Trees in plastic bags or trees not completely cleaned of this material will not be picked up or accepted at the Compost Area. Please note, to use the Compost Center, you will need a Compost Sticker. For further information regarding the Compost Sticker contact the Police Department.
  • Revere, MA - Revere will collect Christmas trees during the first two full weeks in January.
  • Salem, MA - Due to the coronavirus pandemic limitations, residents may not drop off trees at Dead Horse Beach this year. Instead, leave trees curbside on trash days on the weeks after Christmas. You may also drop off your tree in the parking lot of Castle Hill Park (4 Story Road) through the end of January.
  • Somerville, MA - Christmas Tree Recycling: Place curbside with regular trash in December and January. Remove all decorations. Do not place in a plastic bag. Place your natural Christmas tree out by 7 am on your scheduled collection day in December and January. Trees picked up through January are mulched. Trees picked up in February are disposed of as trash. Pick up free mulch through February. Artificial trees can be put out with regular trash. Real trees will be picked up by DPW for mulching in January. Trees put out after January, will be picked up for regular trash.
  • Southbridge, MA - Live (well, formerly live) Christmas trees are picked up every year by the Department of Public Works during the month of January. Residents shall place trees at the curb in front of their property. Trees must be stripped of all decorations (i.e. ornaments, lights, garland and stands). Residents are responsible for wind-blown trees and trees which obstruct plowing operations until such time as the Town removes them.
  • Springfield, Massachusetts - The Solid Waste Division will begin collection of Christmas Trees on Tuesday after New Year's day and will continue through the last Friday in January. Trees will be collected on your recycling day collection. Each address will have two opportunities to have your trees collected. Trees must have all decorations removed and must be placed in an accessible location on your tree belt, not wrapped in any plastic bags. If there is any snow it is the resident's responsibility to dig out trees from the snow to allow for collection. There will be no collection of trees after the last Friday in January, so please review the collection schedule to ensure that you do not miss your last collection date. Trees MUST NOT be placed in any bags or boxes. Please lay trees on their side. Please do not tie them up with anything. Items should be placed out for collection no later than 6:00 am, on the day of collection. Following are some guidelines for recycling during the holiday and winter months:
    Please DO include the following items in your Single Stream recycling mix:
    -corrugated cardboard boxes. Flatten and tie in 3' x3' bundles, no tape. No waxed cardboard.
    -paperboard gift boxes
    -greeting cards (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter)
    -gift wrap, gift bags, tissue wrap (except those with foil, metallic inks, or glitter).
    -paper shopping bags (any type of handle is okay).
    -newspapers/ inserts, magazines/catalogs
    -paperbacks & phone books
    -junk mail - windowed envelopes are OK.
    -white and colored paper, computer paper, shredded paper - place in paper bags.
    -all plastic bottles, jars, tubs and plastic microwave trays/containers under 2 gallons in size
    -glass bottles/jars, all colors and sizes - Please remove and discard all caps
    -aluminum, tin/steel cans and lids and aluminum foil
    Please DO NOT include the following items in your recycling mix:
    -ribbons, bows, and tinsel.
    -packing peanuts and Styrofoam
    -holiday lights
    -paint or aerosol cans or other metal items
    -broken or other glass such as light bulbs, window - auto glass, dishes, glasses, Pyrex, ceramics
    -no plastic grocery/newspaper bags
    -containers over 2 gallons in size, motor oil, chemical or foam containers or flower pots
    -pizza boxes
    -batteries
    -used paper plates, cups, napkins, toilet tissue
    For additional information on collection days residents can call 3-1-1 or (413) 736-3111.
  • Stoneham, MA - Stoneham will collect Christmas trees on residents' regular trash days during the first full week in January.
    Trees must be out on the curb by 7 a.m.
  • Waltham, MA - Christmas trees will be collected curbside three weeks after Christmas.
  • Westford, MA - Christmas Tree Pickup: usually the first 2 full weeks of January.
    The Westford MA Fire Fighters Association - 978-392-0028. WFFA collects Christmas trees annually on designated dates in January. Price: (Prices may have changed!) $10 per tree via check payable to Westford Fire Fighters Association. Place check in a clear plastic bag and attach to tree; have trees curbside by 7am on date of pick-up. Call WFFA at (978) 392- 0028 to place your information on the pick-up list.
    Electronics (working or non-working): Westford Electronics Recycling Events: Please see our website or the Westford Recycling Guide (Mailed to households yearly in June) for events and schedules, typically in the Spring and Fall each year, at the Westford Highway Garage, 28th North St. Items accepted include computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, air conditioners, postage meters, telephones, televisions, VCRs, radios, stereo equipment, electronic test equipment, surveillance equipment, video equipment and cameras, and small household appliances (such as toasters and vacuums), smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, lawnmowers and snowblowers (remove gas and oil). Many items are FREE, some items are FEE-based; cash or checks only.
  • Westwood, MA - Through mid-January, Please have your Christmas tree at curbside by 7AM on your scheduled trash day. ALL TREES must be free of plastic bags, stands, ornaments/hooks, tinsel and all other materials to be acceptable for collection. If you have any questions, please call the Department of Public Works at 781-251-2587.
    Christmas tree lights (green or white wire mini lights) - Westford Metals will take lights at 69 Broadway Street, Westford; 978-392-3251; M-F: 7 am3pm.Westwood Department of Public Works will be picking up Christmas trees January 7th through January 18th.
  • Weymouth, MA - Residents should put their Christmas trees out on the curb on trash days during the first 2 full weeks January. Trees can also be dropped off at 55 Hollis Street from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m on Monday through Friday. Residents are also permitted to put two additional trash bags out with their household trash during the two weeks after Christmas.
  • Worcester, MA - For Worcester Residents Only, Phone: 508-929-1300. Email: [email protected].
    Weather Permitting; , Worcester residents may dispose of their non-artificial Christmas tree FREE OF CHARGE at area drop-off sites (weather permitting). Christmas trees will not be collected at the curb. No other yard waste will be accepted at the sites, only Christmas trees.  Trees should only be dropped when City staff are present at the drop-off sites. Dropping trees off when staff and trucks are not on site is considered illegal dumping. Proof of residency is required for drop-off.
    After Christmas, through the second Sunday in January. Sites will be closed for the New Year's Day holiday on  January 1 and  January 2.  Times:
    Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Sundays (Millbury St. location only) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Christmas trees. Drop-Off Sites:
    Millbury Street Formerly Ballard Street, next to the VFW Post.
    Chandler Street In the parking lot across from Foley Stadium.
    Clark Street Near the East Mountain Street intersection.
     Dropping trees off when staff and trucks are not on site is considered illegal dumping. Proof of residency is required for drop-off.

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