Go green and recycle that Christmas tree.
The City of Pittsburgh has five drop-off locations for live trees starting Saturday through Jan. 26.
The program was started to invite residents to recycle rather than send trees to a landfill, which happens when they are placed at the curb for garbage collection.
Trees collected will be chipped into pine mulch and made available to the public for free this spring, officials said.
Last year, at 12 drop-off sites the city collected more than 109 tons of trees. The Department of Public Works’ Forestry Division and Bureau of Environmental Services decided to offer the collection service again.
The reduction in drop-off locations is correlated to the ability to staff multiple locations during the pandemic, officials said.
The program aligns with Pittsburgh’s “Climate Action Plan 3.0,” which defines milestones for keeping materials out of landfills to meet zero waste goals, according to the city.
There is a public service announcement on City Channel Pittsburgh which reminds those dropping off trees to make sure ornaments, netting, tinsel and tree stands are removed.
Here are the locations:
Hazelwood, 40 Melanchton St.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday
(412) 422-6524
Homewood North, 6814 Hamilton Ave.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday
(412) 665-3609
Perry North/Observatory Hill, 300 Kilbuck Road
Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday
(412) 323-7209
West End, 1330 Hassler St.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday
(412) 937-3054
Highland Park Zoo Lay Down Area, 7370 Baker Street
Hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday