Holiday tree disposal do's & don'ts
Everyone loves the smell of freshly cut pine in the winter -- but as the holidays come and go, so must the holiday trees. Hayward Waste Management customers have access to free tree curbside pickup between January 6 and January 17, 2020. Here are a few helpful tips to consider when prepping your tree for pickup.
Waste Management does not collect artificial trees or frosted trees as part of the free pickup service. To take advantage of this service, customers must:
- Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, nails, and stands from tree
- Cut tree into pieces five feet in length or smaller (only applies if tree is taller than five feet)
- Place tree on curb next to recycling, organics, and landfill bins on normal collection day
After January 17, trees must be cut to fit within the green organics cart in order to be picked up for free. Trees placed on the curbside after the free collection period can still be picked up, but a fee may be added to your next bill. For more information on the tree collection program, call Waste Management at (510) 537-5500.
To put a more sustainable spin on your holiday festivities, consider buying a live, potted tree and planting it in your yard after the holidays. Trees naturally absorb greenhouse gases and other pollutants, preventing them from being emitted into the atmosphere and negatively impacting local air quality. For more information on trees that grow well in Hayward, check out the Alameda County Public Works Advisory Board’s recommended tree list.
