The 2024/2025 Christmas Tree Recycling Guide in San Diego County

Christmas Tree Recycling Guide: How and Where to Recycle Real Christmas Trees in San Diego County

Among other benefits over fake trees, real Christmas trees can be composted or turned into mulch and returned to the earth. Trees sprayed with fake snow (flocked) trees cannot be composted.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY (Dec. 03, 2024) – San Diego residents can help close the loop on holiday waste by transforming their old Christmas trees into nutrient rich compost or mulch. When Christmas trees are recycled, they embark on a new journey that benefits the environment and the community. Through processes like mulching or composting, these trees are broken down into valuable organic material that enriches soil with essential nutrients. This process not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also plays a crucial role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent contributor to climate change.

For this year’s Christmas tree collection, the County of San Diego and I Love A Clean San Diego make it easy for residents to recycle their real Christmas trees. The countywide Christmas Tree Recycling Guide at WasteFreeSD.org, has a 2024/2025 listing for curbside and drop-off locations in the region.

According to the EPA, organic materials like Christmas trees, food, and yard waste are the number one material sent to landfills, composing two-thirds of the solid waste stream. By giving Christmas trees a second life through recycling, San Diego residents can contribute to a sustainable celebration of the holidays.

Follow some simple tips to ensure they can be recycled.

Christmas Tree Recycling Tips

  • Do not flock or buy flocked trees. Fake snow (flock) contains chemicals that interfere with the composting process
  • If you choose to use tinsel it must be completely removed (and placed in the trash) from your tree before it can be recycled. Best option, don’t buy tinsel. It is a wasteful single-use plastic.
  • Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, and tree stands (metal or plastic) before recycling.
  • For areas where curbside tree recycling is available, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half. It is recommended that pieces be under four feet.
  • Reuse or donate artificial trees that are in good condition. Purchasing new plastic trees create more waste and greenhouse gasses.
  • Don’t let real trees sit around too long after the holidays. They can dry out and become fire hazards.
  • Organic wreaths and similar decorations can be recycled with trees.

About I Love A Clean San Diego

Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education, and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops. As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action to empower everyone to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. Our community is passion in action to maintain and improve the health of the home we love. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Sustainable Living Workshop

If you’re looking to eliminate waste from your daily routine, join I Love A Clean San Diego for our free Sustainable Living workshop on Saturday, December 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall! During this workshop, we’ll cover:

 

  • Zero waste practices to adopt in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and home common areas
  • Sustainable product swaps
  • Recommendations for local zero waste businesses

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to make and take home DIY zero waste cleaning and personal care products, and we will have our free Swap and Shop booth open anyone who wants to browse through secondhand clothes, books, toys and other trinkets.

 

Attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa gift card, distributed at the end of the workshop.

 

Registration is required. Thank you to the County of San Diego for sponsoring this event. We can’t wait to see you at the Julian Town Hall on December 14!

 

 

Zero Waste at Home Webinar

If you’re looking to eliminate waste from your daily routine, join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of Poway for our free Zero Waste at Home webinar on Thursday, November 21, at 1:00 p.m. During this webinar, we’ll cover:

 

  • Zero waste practices to adopt in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and home common areas
  • Sustainable product swaps
  • Recommendations for local zero waste businesses

 

Registration is required, those who cannot attend the live event are encouraged to register in order to receive a recording of the webinar and additional resources. Thank you to the City of Poway for sponsoring this event. We can’t wait to see you on November 21!

 

 

Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

Whether you’re just starting out on your zero waste journey or you’re looking to level up your sustainable lifestyle, join I Love A Clean San Diego on Thursday, June 13, at 12 p.m. for our free Step Up Your Sustainability webinar! We’ll cover how to create zero waste habits in your current routines, how to repurpose old items, and how to properly dispose of the waste you produce! In addition you’ll learn:

  • Eco-friendly product swaps
  • DIY recipes
  • How to compost without an outdoor space
  • Low waste habits for pets, hobbies, and your home

Registration is required. Participants who cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. Thank you to the City of Poway for sponsoring this event!

Simple Swaps: Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic Webinar

Did you know that we produce almost 400 million tons of plastic each year across the globe?

 

Join I Love A Clean San Diego on Thursday, April 25th at 11 a.m. for our free Simple Swaps: Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic webinar!

 

During the webinar, you’ll learn:

  • What happens to plastic after we throw it in the trash
  • How to properly recycle or dispose of plastic waste
  • About the City of San Diego’s local ordinance banning single-use plastics
  • Zero waste product swaps for single-use items inside and outside the home

Registration is required. Participants that cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this event!

 

9th Annual Sustainable Solutions Fair

Join us for a fun and unique celebration of all things sustainability! I Love A Clean San Diego, in partnership with the City of Encinitas, is hosting the 9th annual Sustainable Solutions Fair on Saturday, June 22, from 10AM-1PM at the EUSD Farm Lab.

This one-of-a-kind event will highlight tips on low-waste living, composting, recycling, sustainable swaps for everyday products, and more. All are welcome – from sustainable living beginners to zero waste experts.

Come ready to experience a wide array of zero waste activities, including informative panel speakers, booths from sustainable companies, and hands-on low waste DIYs.

Please register on CleanSD.org for the full schedule and more event details. Can’t wait to see you there!

Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

Whether you’re just starting out on your zero waste journey or you’re looking to level up your sustainable lifestyle, join I Love A Clean San Diego on Tuesday, January 30, at 1 p.m. for our free Step Up Your Sustainability webinar! We’ll cover how to create zero waste habits in your current routines, how to repurpose old items with new uses, and how to properly dispose of the waste you do produce! More specifically:

  • Eco-friendly product swaps
  • DIY recipes
  • How to compost without an outdoor space
  • Low waste habits for pets, hobbies, and your home

Registration is required. Participants who cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. Thank you to the County of San Diego for sponsoring this event!

Zero Waste at Home Workshop

If you’re looking to eliminate waste from your daily routine, join I Love A Clean San Diego for our free Zero Waste at Home workshop on Saturday, January 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Otay Mesa-Nestor Library! During this workshop, we’ll cover:

 

  • Zero waste practices to adopt in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and home common areas
  • Sustainable product swaps
  • Recommendations for local zero waste businesses

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to make and take home DIY zero waste cleaning and personal care products, and we will have our Swap and Shop booth open anyone who wants to browse through secondhand clothes, books, toys and other trinkets.

 

Attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa gift card, distributed at the end of the workshop.

 

Registration is required. Thank you to the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department for sponsoring this event. We can’t wait to see you at the Otay Mesa-Nestor Library on January 20!

Green Business Solutions Webinar

Wondering how to make your workplace more sustainable?

On Wednesday, January 24th, I Love A Clean San Diego is partnering with Wells Fargo to host a free Green Business Solutions Webinar. Join us at 4pm PST for an informational and interactive presentation focusing on zero waste business practices! Whether you work in an office, remotely, a restaurant, or in retail, we will have valuable information for all business models.

During this webinar, we will discuss:
• The importance of a zero waste workplace
• How to implement lasting sustainable practices at your business
• How to increase employee engagement
• How going green can improve company culture and economic growth

Join us from 4:00pm-5:00pm on January 24th for this event. Please register to receive the Zoom link. Hope to see you there!

Questions? Email kcorbran@cleansd.org with “Green Business Webinar” in the subject line.

Celebrate Sustainably: Zero Waste Holidays, Parties, and Events Webinar

Learn how to enjoy all of life’s celebrations without creating waste! Join I Love A Clean San Diego on Wednesday, December 20, from 6-7 PM for our Celebrate Sustainably: Zero Waste Holidays, Parties, and Events webinar.

This webinar will cover how to maintain a low-waste lifestyle while navigating gift giving, décor, and cooking for large groups. We’ll share:

  • Low and no-waste gift ideas
  • Easy DIY decoration ideas
  • Where to best dispose of the waste we create after the holidays and large gatherings
  • Ways to reduce the amount of food waste from holiday meals

Registration is required. Participants who cannot attend live are encouraged to register to receive the recording and additional resources. We can’t wait to see you virtually on December 20! Thank you to the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department for sponsoring this event.