The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is making sustainability more accessible for city residents with new initiatives, including year-round Christmas tree collection and expanded special waste and textile recycling services in Queens.
With the recent expansion of curbside composting, New Yorkers no longer need to adhere to a specific time frame to dispose of their Christmas trees. According to DSNY, naked trees — free of decorations, ornaments, and stands — can be placed on the curb on residents’ regular curbside composting days. These trees are processed alongside other compostable materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, to create finished compost or renewable energy. Residents should avoid wrapping trees in plastic bags and place them next to other compostable materials.
For those with artificial trees, DSNY advises separating and removing the metal base and trunk before placing those components with regular metal recycling. Additional details about Christmas tree disposal and recycling are available at nyc.gov/dsny or by calling 311.
Expanded recycling services in Queens
DSNY is also enhancing recycling and waste disposal options for Queens residents. The Special Waste Drop-Off site in College Point, located on 30th Avenue between 120th and 122nd Streets, will now operate three days a week — Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This increase doubles the opportunities for locals to responsibly dispose of hazardous items, including electronics, paint, batteries, motor oil, light bulbs, and car tires.
“We know many Queens families are juggling busy schedules, especially during the holidays,” said Acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan. “This expanded schedule gives more people the chance to clear out potentially dangerous materials from their homes and ensure they’re handled responsibly.”
Additionally, Queens residents now have a new option for textile recycling at the Sanitation garage in Jamaica, located at 153-67 146th Ave. A dedicated drop-off bin is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for recycling items such as clothing, shoes, linens, and fabric-based goods like backpacks and stuffed animals.
“Textile recycling is another way we’re making it easier for Queens residents to keep their communities clean and sustainable,” added Lojan. “This effort is a step forward in complying with Local Law 88 and reflects our goal of making responsible disposal as convenient as possible.”
For more information about acceptable items and disposal guidelines, residents can use the DSNY website’s “How to Get Rid Of” tool.
