A good time was had by all. Now you're waking up and staring at that Christmas tree and probably thinking one of three things:
"I don't want this feeling to end. I'll just keep the tree up a little longer."
Or: "I'm tired. I'll worry about the tree later."
Or: "It's over. Now how the heck do I get rid of this tree before it becomes a fire hazard?"
In any case, that tree will (if it's fresh) become a fire hazard as it dries out, so you need to chuck it eventually. Luckily, if you live anywhere in the city of Los Angeles, you can most likely just put the tree out during your regular collection day, but you have several other options, as well.
You can look up your collection day on the L.A. Sanitation homepage.
IF YOU LIVE IN A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE:
If you have a real tree, remove all the ornaments and any other decorations, cut the tree up as needed to fit inside your green bin, and put the bin out for pick-up on your regular collection day. If the tree is too big to cut and fit in a bin, just place it beside the bin on collection day. That's it.
If you have a plastic or flocked tree (you know, dusted with fake snow), it cannot be recycled. You must put these in the black bin instead. Done.
IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT OR MULTI-FAMILY BUILDING:
If you live in a multi-family building like an apartment complex, place your tree curbside and the city's sanitation department will pick it up on the scheduled neighborhood collection day. Easy-peasy.
DROPPING IT OFF YOURSELF:
If you don't want to wait for curbside service or you're just a DIY kind of soul, you have several options for disposing of the tree on your own.
First, the city will accept trees at its mulching facilities through the end of January. The following facilities are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Lopez Canyon Environmental and Education Center
11950 Lopez Canyon Rd.
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Harbor Mulch Facility
1400 N. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
You can also drop off your tree for one day only at a number of city parks and recreation facilities. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, the following locations are accepting tree drop-offs:
Last but not least, you can drop the tree at one of the following local fire stations, which are accepting trees until mid-January:
Fire Station #3
108 N. Fremont Ave., 90012 - Civic Center / Bunker Hill
(213) 485-6203
Fire Station #21
1192 E. 51st St., 90011 - South Los Angeles
(213) 485-6221
Fire Station #28
11641 Corbin Ave., 91326 - Porter Ranch
(818) 756-9728
Fire Station #29
4029 Wilshire Blvd., 90010 - Hancock Park
(213) 485-6229
Fire Station #36
1005 N. Gaffey St., 90731 - North San Pedro
(310) 548-7538
Fire Station #44
1410 Cypress Ave., 90065 - Cypress Park
(213) 485-6264
Fire Station #64
10811 S. Main St., 90061 - South Los Angeles
(213) 485-6264
Fire Station #65
1801 E. Century Blvd., 90002 - Watts
(213) 485-6265
Fire Station #77
9224 Sunland Blvd., 91352 - Sun Valley
(818) 756-8677
Fire Station #81
14355 Arminta St., 91402 - Panorama City
(818) 756-8681
Fire Station #88
5101 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 91403 - Sherman Oaks
(818) 756-8606
Fire Station #94
4470 Coliseum St., 90016 - South Los Angeles
(213) 485-6294
Fire Station #106
23004 Roscoe Blvd., 91304 - West Hills
(818) 756-8606
Bonus: The city recycles Christmas trees into mulch and compost, which residents can take home for free. More on that program here.
OTHER PARTS OF LA COUNTY:
Most county residents will have access to similar Christmas tree recycling programs via curbside pick-up or by dropping off at designated locations.
If you live in Acton or the Antelope Valley, check the listings on this Public Works website.
Residents of other unincorporated communities in L.A. County can find instructions here.
And if you live in one of the county's 88 incorporated cities, you can find more information about your city's recycling program here.
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