By City Manager Ken Striplin
As the holiday season winds down and the festive decorations are taken down, the familiar question arises as it does each year: “What should we do with our fresh tree or wreath now that the celebrations are over?” The City of Santa Clarita encourages residents to recycle their greenery through a convenient collection and drop-off program available Citywide. These efforts not only reduce waste, but also help support a cleaner, more sustainable community. From now through Saturday, January 10, you can recycle your fresh holiday trees and wreaths through two easy options: curbside collection or drop-off at designated community locations.
For many households, curbside collection is the most convenient way to recycle a holiday tree. Simply place your tree at the curb on your regular trash collection day and it will be picked up for recycling along with normal service. For those living in multi-family communities, the process is just as easy. Simply place your tree next to the designated trash enclosure for collection. Be sure to remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments and stands. If your tree is taller than six feet, it should be cut in half to ensure safe and efficient collection. Fresh wreaths can also be recycled curbside by placing them inside the green organics bin, as long as decorative items have been removed. Sorry, flocked trees and wreaths cannot be recycled.
Residents who prefer to drop off their trees and wreaths, can visit any of the City’s designated recycling locations through Saturday, January 10. Special bins for fresh greenery are available at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market Street), Central Park (27150 Bouquet Canyon Road) and the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Highway). These convenient sites allow residents across the City to participate when curbside service is not the best option for their household.
Recycling holiday trees and fresh wreaths plays a meaningful role in the City’s sustainability efforts. Once collected, these natural materials are transformed into mulch or compost, which is then used throughout Santa Clarita’s open space, parks and street medians. This mulch helps conserve water, supports healthy soils and maintains attractive, low-maintenance landscaping enjoyed by residents year-round. By participating in the recycling program, you help create these essential materials, reduce landfill waste and directly support the care and long-term health of public spaces. A simple seasonal action becomes part of a much larger commitment to environmental stewardship across the community.
Recycling your holiday tree is more than a good habit — it’s a New Year’s promise to reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle whenever possible. Together, we can build a more sustainable Santa Clarita and protect the environment we all share. For more information, please visit GreenSantaClarita.com.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
