Now that the holiday greenery is dry and shedding, it’s time to sweep out the pine needles and think about how to dispose of the dried-out Christmas tree.  Please don’t dump it on a nearby hillside!  Setting out your tree for regular trash pickup means that it will be added to a landfill, rather than being composted.  There are a couple of ways to dispose of Christmas trees so that they will be recycled.

The City of Pittsburgh’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs from January 3 to 29, 2011 Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Trees must have all ornaments, lights and stands removed, and absolutely no trees in plastic bags will be accepted.  The drop-off location nearest to Polish Hill is the Environmental Services Lot (Strip District) – at 3001 Railroad Street (next to Old City Tow Pound Location).  For more information, call 412-255-2773.

For other City drop-off locations, contact the Recycling Division at 412-255-2631 or check here.

Allegheny County’s Second Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program will run from Dec. 26 through Jan. 22. Residents can drop off trees daily between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  The nearest drop-off location to Polish Hill is the swimming pool parking lot in North Park. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees prior to drop-off.

The tree recycling program is part of Allegheny Green, the County Executive’s comprehensive initiative to promote sustainable practices within County government and through countywide policies and programs.  For more information on drop-off locations, check here.