The holiday season is here! Convenient Christmas tree curbside pickup is offered throughout San Diego County and is a great way to help divert your Christmas tree from the landfill following the holiday festivities. Drop-off locations can be found here. Still not sure where to take your Christmas tree for recycling after reviewing this list? Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more options or call I Love a Clean San Diego’s hotline for help from a live attendant Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Incorporated County Residents, please call 1-800-237-BLUE

Unincorporated County Residents, please call 1-877-R-1-EARTH

Curbside Hauling Instructions by City

NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO 

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad and Republic are offering free, curbside pickup for holiday trees from December 26, 2022, to January 15, 2023.
  • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
  • Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut into pieces and placed next to your green cart.
  • When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
  • Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection.
Republic Services (760) 332-6464

Del Mar

Holiday trees are collected curbside for two weeks after Christmas, from December 26 2o22 – January 16 2023 on your scheduled collection day. • Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.
• Trees taller than 4 feet must be cut in half and place inside green waste cart.
• Residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart with the lid closed for collection.
• Flocked and artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. These trees must fit into the trash cart with the lid closed for collection. Waste Hauler
EDCO Disposal (619)287-7555

Escondido

December 26, 2022 – January 7, 2023, during regularly scheduled service day
  • Flocked trees accepted
  • No tinsel or ornaments
  • No nails
  • No tree stands
  • Cut tree to fit inside green waste bin and place on curb on your regular trash collection date.
Escondido Disposal (760) 745-3203

Encinitas

Residents can place cut trees in the green bin anytime before regular collection day, December 26, 2022 -January 9, 2023, or call EDCO to set up bulky item pickup for the scheduled pick-up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • No flocked trees in green bin, flocked and artificial trees should go into the landfill bin
EDCO (760) 744-2700

Oceanside

Coming Soon!

Solana Beach

December 26, 2022 – January 6, 2023, during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Cut the tree into pieces 4 ft or smaller and put them in green bin
EDCO
(858) 350-8544

Poway

December 26, 2022 – January 6, 2023, during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Trees over four feet should be cut in half
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Flocked trees are accepted in your green waste
  • Artificial trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash bin
EDCO
(760) 201-1578

Ramona

December 26, 2022 – January 6 2023 during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Cut trees in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches.
  • Place the tree inside the green waste cart for collection on your service day.
  • No flocked trees.
Ramona Disposal
(760) 789-0516

San Marcos

December 26, 2022 – January 6 2023 during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Trees over four feet should be cut in half
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in trash bin
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Vista

December 26, 2022 – January 6, 2023 on regularly scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Trees over four feet should be cut in half
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash
EDCO
(760) 727-1600

Unincorporated Area Services by Ramona Disposal

Including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs

December 26 2022 – January 6 2023 during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place tree inside the green waste cart for collection on your service day
  • No flocked trees
Ramona Disposal
(760) 789-0516

Unincorporated Area Services by Republic Services

Including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs

Year-round
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland, and plastic or metal stands.
  • Cut/section the tree in pieces 4ft or shorter.
  • Place inside the correct container (flocked or plastic trees = trash, natural tree = green organics container*).
  • Drivers will not service trees left outside the container. All tree portions must be INSIDE the correct container.
  • *If you do not have a green container on-site, please place the natural tree in a separate location near the trash container, following the preparation guidelines mentioned previously.
  • In addition, residents may also choose to schedule a separate bulky pickup if the tree is not cut/sectioned into 4 feet or less portions. You may request this service by calling our customer resource center: (619) 421-9400
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Unincorporated Area Services by EDCO & Fallbrook Refuse

Including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs

December 26 2022 – January 6 2023 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • Artificial and flocked trees are not recyclable and must be placed in the trash
EDCO
(760) 744-5615
or
Fallbrook Refuse
(760)728-6114

Unincorporated Area Services by Waste Management 

Including 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pala, Palomar Mountain, Pauma Valley, Ranchita, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center, and Warner Springs

If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas from December 26 to January 9 on your scheduled collection day.

If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.

  • Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.
  • Please remove all decoration including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands and place in WM organics cart.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, so please cut them to fit into your trash cart and they will be collected by your trash collector.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

*If you live in an unincorporated region of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact your waste hauler to confirm collection dates and instructions.

 

CENTRAL SAN DIEGO 

Community

Collection Dates

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Coronado

Residents can place cut trees in the green bin at any time before regular collection day, December  26 2022-January 6 2023
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26 2022 – January 6 2023
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

City of San Diego

  • Curbside collection (For residents with yard waste collection only):
  • Manual container customers using their own bins should place trees on the curb for collection on your regular greenery recycling pickup day.
  • Trees over 4-ft in length should be cut in half.
  • Automated container customers using the large, green 96-gallon bin provided by the city should cut their trees to fit into the automated container for pickup on collection day.
  • Both green and flocked trees (fake snow) are accepted.
  • Trees over 4-ft in length should be cut in half.
  • For Greenery, curbside, and drop-off sites, all tree stands, bags, netting, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and other tree decorations must be removed.
  • No artificial trees. Please do not illegally dump any other items at the drop-off locations.
Environmental Services Department
(858) 694-7000

EAST COUNTY SAN DIEGO 

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

El Cajon

December 26th, 2022 – January 14th, 2023 during regular scheduled collection day
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand.
  • Cut the tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches, then place in green organics cart with the lid closed.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, so please cut them to fit into your trash cart and they will be collected by your trash collector.
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

La Mesa

December 26-January 6, 2023
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
  • No flocked trees in the green bin, flocked and artificial trees should go into the landfill bin
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Lemon Grove

Residents can place cut trees in the green bin at any time before regular collection day, December  26 2022-January 6 2023, or call EDCO to collect your tree as a bulky item pickup for a $30.00 fee that is paid via credit card at the time of the request.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26 2022 – January 9, 2023:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Santee

December 26, 2022 – January 7 2023 during regularly scheduled collection day
  • Residents can recycle their Christmas trees by placing the trees in their yard waste bins on their regular pick-up day.
  • Trees must be cut into a maximum of 4-ft sections and must fit into the green yard waste container.
  • Ornaments, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before being recycled.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, but will be collected if cut into 4-ft sections and placed into the regular trash bin.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Unincorporated Area Services by Waste Management 

Including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley

If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas from December 26 to January 9 on your scheduled collection day

If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.

  • Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.
  • Please remove all decoration including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands and place in WM Organics cart.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, so please cut them to fit into your trash cart and they will be collected by your trash collector.
Waste Management
(760) 439-2824

Unincorporated Area Services by Republic Services

Including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley

Year-round
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland, and plastic or metal stands.
  • Cut/section the tree in pieces 4ft or shorter. Place inside the correct container (flocked or plastic trees = trash, natural tree = green organics container*).
  • Drivers will not service trees left outside the container. All tree portions must be INSIDE the correct container.
  • *If you do not have a green container on-site, please place the natural tree in a separate location near the trash container, following the preparation guidelines mentioned previously.
  • In addition, residents may also choose to schedule a separate bulky pickup if the tree is not cut/sectioned into 4 feet or less portions. You may request this service by calling our customer resource center: (619) 421-9400
Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Unincorporated Area Services by EDCO

Including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Crest, Dehesa, Descanso, Dulzura, Guatay, Jacumba, Jamul, Lakeside, Pine Valley, Potrero, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley

Residents can place cut trees in the green bin at any time before regular collection day December 26 2022 – January 6 2023, or call EDCO to set up bulky item pickup for the scheduled pick-up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green organics cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26 2022 – January 6 2023
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Please trimmed tree inside your green organics cart with the lid closed
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

*If you live in an unincorporated region of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler.

Please contact your waste hauler to confirm collection dates and instructions.

 

SOUTH BAY SAN DIEGO 

Community

Collection Days

Instructions

Waste Hauler

Chula Vista

Year-round
  • Apartment and condominium residents please contact your manager or HOA to find out when pick up is scheduled at their complex.
  • Residents of single-family homes, please place tree at the curb on your regular collection day.
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland and plastic or metal stands.
  • Cut tree into 4 feet or less sections.
  • Flocked and plastic trees are NOT recyclable and must be disposed of as a bulky item!
  • Residents with any questions may call 619-691-5122 or email EnvironmentalServices@chulavistaca.gov

 

Republic Services
(800) 421-9401

Imperial Beach

Residents can place cut trees in the green bins at any time before regular collection day, December 26, 2022 – January 27, 2023, or call EDCO to set up bulky item pickup for the scheduled pick-up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26, 2022- January 27, 2023:
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

National City

Residents can place cut trees in the green bin at any time before regular collection day, December 26, 2022 -January 6, 2023
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green waste cart on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular collection day, December 26, 2022 – January 6, 2023
  • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the tree stand
  • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
  • Place the trimmed tree inside your green waste cart with the lid closed
EDCO
(760) 744-5615

Unincorporated Area Services by  Waste Management

Including Bonita, Otay, San Diego-unincorporated

If you currently have green waste services, Waste Management will collect and recycle Christmas trees for the first two weeks following Christmas from December 30 to January 10 on your scheduled collection day.

If you do not have green waste services, please contact Customer Service at (619) 596-5100 to schedule the pick-up of your Christmas tree for a nominal fee.

 

  • Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.
  • Please remove all decorations including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands, and place them in WM organics carts.
  • Flocked trees cannot be recycled, so please cut them to fit into your trash cart and they will be collected by your trash collector.
Waste Management

 

Unincorporated Area Services by  Republic Services

Including Bonita, Otay, San Diego-unincorporated

 

Year-round
  • Remove all ornaments, tinsel, garland, and plastic or metal stands.
  • Cut/section the tree in pieces 4ft or shorter. Place inside the correct container (flocked or plastic trees = trash, natural tree = green organics container*).
  • Drivers will not service trees left outside the container. All tree portions must be INSIDE the correct container.
  • *If you do not have a green container on-site, please place the natural tree in a separate location near the trash container, following the preparation guidelines mentioned previously.
  • In addition, residents may also choose to schedule a separate bulky pickup if the tree is not cut/sectioned into 4 feet or less portions. You may request this service by calling our customer resource center: (619) 421-9400

 

Republic Services

Unincorporated Area Services by EDCO

Including Bonita, Otay, San Diego-unincorporated

 

Residents can place cut trees in green bin at anytime before regular collection day, December 26 2022-January 6 2023, or call EDCO to setup bulky item pickup for the scheduled pick-up day.
  • Please place botanical decorations inside your green organics cart
    on your collection day and follow these guidelines when setting
    out your Christmas tree for curbside collection on your regular
    collection day, December 26, 2022 – January 6 2023
    • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and
    the tree stand
    • Cut tree in 4-foot lengths and trim off branches
    • Place trimmed tree inside your green organics cart with the lid closed
EDCO

*If you live in an unincorporated region of the county your curbside guidance varies depending on your contracted hauler. Please contact your waste hauler to confirm collection dates and instructions.

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