The New Year is full of new opportunities, resolutions and the sometimes painstaking task of getting rid of Christmas trees for thousands of Bay Area residents.
Here’s a list of where Bay Area counties have identified drop-off sites to compost retired Christmas trees – some for free or for a nominal fee – and waste management companies have shared directions for tree disposal through regular collection services. Be sure to get rid of your tree sooner than later, because prices go up in February.
It’s important to note that residents must remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, ribbons and stands from the tree before it’s dropped off in order for trees to be composted.
Alameda County
Berkeley
The Berkeley Transfer Station, located at 1201 2nd St., accepts trees for freeform from Dec. 30 through January for compost. Fees will return to their normal prices of $27.75 (plus a $3.50 environmental compliance fee) for up to 330 pounds of plant debris. Artificial or flocked trees, covered in artificial snow, will cost $42 to dispose of.
Fremont
The Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station can take your tired trees for a small fee at 41149 Boyce Rd. Trees are composted at the facility’s “clean green” area for a minimum rate of $61 per transaction.
Oakland
Oakland residents have two options at their disposal. Waste Management of Alameda County will pick up Christmas trees on the regularly scheduled compost service day from Dec. 26 through January 17, 2025. After that, residents will need to cut their trees to fit inside compost bins. Residents can also drop off their Christmas trees and other green waste with Commercial Waste & Recycling at 5900 Coliseum Way in Oakland for a minimum fee of $55 fee.
San Leandro
Davis Street Transfer Station will take Christmas trees at 2615 Davis St., offering both a compost option for green waste for $31.54 per cubic yard and a landfill option for artificial trees for $38.38 per cubic yard.
Pleasanton
Pleasanton residents can drop off their woebegone firs and spruces for free at the Pleasanton Transfer Station at 3110 Busch Rd. The site also accepts artificial trees for its landfill and a reuse option for functioning Christmas lights.
Richmond
Richmond residents can leave cut-up natural trees in compost bins while artificial trees can be placed in their trash bins for pick up by Republic Services. Republic Services also offers curbside collections to its customers for $23.11 per tree when you call their customer service line in advance at 510-262-7100. Residents of Richmond can also show their ID to Republic Services at the Golden Bear Transfer Station at 1 Parr Blvd. through the first weekend in February at no cost for compostable trees. Non-compostable trees incur a cost of $13 per tree.
Contra Costa County
Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority has asked its customers to cut up their trees and place them in the organics cart for a month-long effort to clean up Christmas trees. Customers in Walnut Creek, Danville, Diablo, and the unincorporated county can have their Christmas trees picked up with their compost bins the week of Jan. 6-10. The following week, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga customers, including those in unincorporated areas, will have Christmas tree pickups from Jan 13-17. Any customers who missed prior tree collection dates can still have their trees picked up from Jan. 20-24. The waste authority will still pick up Christmas trees after Jan. 24 when customers call customer service at 925-685-4711 and pay a fee.
Martinez
Acme Landfill will compost trees for a minimum $25 fee at its site at 950 Waterbird Way where trees will be composted.
San Mateo County
The South Bayside Waste Management Authority will pick up Christmas trees from Jan. 2 – 31. The waste authority has asked customers to limit the size of trees to 8 feet or less, and for customers to strip the trees of lights, ornaments and ribbon before leaving them next to the green compost bin. After Jan. 31, trees must be cut up and placed inside the green Compost Cart for collection.
Santa Clara County
San Jose
Residents of San Jose can place their Christmas trees next to their waste bins during their regularly scheduled pick-ups by San Jose Recyclables. Customers are asked to cut the tree into 5-foot pieces and remove all tinsel, decorations and tree stand before putting the tree out.
Santa Clara
Santa Clara Public Works Department will pick up Christmas trees between Jan. 6-10 along residents’ curbs. Artificial trees must be placed in a garbage bag and will not be recycled. If residents miss their pick-up day, they can bring the tree to 1700 Walsh Ave. at the Corp Yard between Jan. 6-10. Any residents who’ve missed the Jan. 10 deadline will need to cut up their tree and deposit them in the yard trimmings bin.
South Santa Clara County
South Santa Clara County residents can also leave their stripped trees next to their waste bins between Dec. 26 and Jan. 31. The waste management GreenWaste asks customers to limit the size of their trees to pieces of 4 feet or less.