Inform Tenants About DOS Christmas Tree/Wreath Recycling

The city's Department of Sanitation (DOS) has a recycling program for Christmas trees and wreaths. It should make getting rid of trees and wreaths after the holiday much easier for you. The trees and wreaths may simply be put at curbside anytime on any day, on or after Monday, Jan. 3, through Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. DOS will collect the trees and wreaths and recycle them into ground cover and compost.

Recycling trees and wreaths doesn't just help the environment. It also helps eliminate the fire hazard posed by storing dried-out trees and wreaths in your building overnight or longer. Here's how the program works.

Trees and Wreaths Collected Jan. 3-14

Tenants' undecorated trees and wreaths may be put out at curbside for collection in all boroughs on any day, including weekends and holidays, beginning Jan. 3, and running through Jan. 14, 2011.

You don't need to tie the trees up before placing them at the curb. DOS will collect the trees and wreaths on an as-needed basis. However, you must follow three recycling rules. If you don't, DOS can refuse to pick up the trees and wreaths.

• Remove all wires from wreaths.
• Remove all decorations such as tinsel, lights, and ornaments from trees and wreaths.
• Don't place trees or wreaths in plastic bags or Dumpsters. Owners with Dumpsters should place trees and wreaths at the curb. The trees will be chipped into mulch that will be distributed to parks, playing fields, and community gardens throughout the city.

Regular Garbage Classification

DOS won't issue violations for trees and wreaths left at curbside during the recycling period. However, as of Jan. 15, 2011, trees and wreaths become regular garbage items. They can be put out for collection only after 8 p.m. the night before the DOS regular garbage collection day.

Tell Tenants About Recycling

You should notify tenants about the recycling requirements and include specific instructions for them about how to recycle their trees and wreaths. Otherwise, after the holidays, you are apt to find trees and wreaths jammed into trash cans and compactor chutes. Also, remind tenants to remove all decorations, including tinsel, as well as wires from wreaths. You can use our Model Notice: Notify Tenants About Christmas Tree/Wreath Recycling.

Some owners may choose to have tenants bring the trees and wreaths to a designated area—such as a room in the basement or out to the curb. Other buildings provide tree-removal service to tenants as a way to keep tenants from dragging trees along hallways and littering public areas with pine needles. Depending on your preferences, you can adapt the third paragraph of our Model Notice to fit your building's protocols.