Tis the Season to Recycle Holiday Trees and Greenery; Collection Begins Dec. 27 through Jan. 31
-Information provided by the Department of Public Works (DPW):
The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that holiday trees and greenery will be collected by appointment from DPW-serviced households between December 27, 2019 and January 31, 2020. Items collected during this period will be composted, thus helping to support the District’s waste reduction efforts.
Only residents in single family homes and apartment buildings with three or fewer units are eligible for this service. Residents must call 311 between December 27 and January 10 to make their appointment.
“Giving residents the opportunity to have their trees and greenery collected by appointment helps us better curb the post-holiday tree clutter that often accumulates on our sidewalks,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart. “Residents who make appointments before January 10 aid the District’s efforts to reduce waste, because those trees are composted and provided free to residents.”
Here are key questions on how the holiday tree and greenery collection process will work.
How should residents prepare holiday trees and greenery? When setting these items out for collection, residents should remove all ornaments and lights and not put the trees and greenery in a bag.
Where should residents leave holiday trees and greenery? DPW crews will collect these items from the front of residents’ houses.
Can residents also drop off the items? Yes, residents can drop off holiday trees at the following locations:
Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Road NE)
Fort Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Drive NE)
Bryant Street Sweep Shop (201 Bryant Street NW)
South Capitol Street Graffiti Shop (2700 South Capitol Street SE)
What should residents do if they don’t meet the deadline? After January 31, residents should place holiday trees and greenery where their trash is collected. The items will be picked up with the trash as space in DPW trucks permits.
How does DPW dispose of the trees and greenery? DPW will compost items collected between December 27 and January 31 (and those brought to the drop off locations below). Unfortunately, trees and greenery collected after January 31 will not be composted.
Can residents use this compost? Free compost – up to five 32-gallon bags – is available for District residents year-round while supplies last at the Fort Totten Transfer Station. Residents must bring their own bags.
