Drop off whole compostable trees at the Transfer Station for free in January or cut them up and put them in your green bin. Remember to remove all decorations and lights.
When you're ready to dispose of your holiday tree, you can cut it up and place it in your bin for curbside pickup or drop it off whole at the City's Transfer Station.
Whichever method you choose, remember to remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags, and plastic tree stands first.
Help keep Berkeley clean by keeping discarded trees off our streets and sidewalks.
Prep your tree for curbside collection
For curbside collection, cut your tree up so it fits into your green compost cart with the lid closed.
Whole trees can damage the City's collection trucks and will not be picked up if left on the curb. Cut trees up to fit into your green plant debris bin with the lid closed.
Flocked or "snow-covered" trees are not compostable. If you have a flocked tree, cut it up and treat it as you would a plastic tree: place it in your gray refuse cart.
If you don't have tools to cut your tree, try free tool rental:
Berkeley Tool Lending Library
1901 Russell Street (at MLK)
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, 10:00 am– 6:00 pm
Wednesday, Thursday, noon – 6:00 pm
Only Berkeley residents or property owners over age 18 may borrow tools.
Drop off whole trees at the Transfer Station
You may also drop off whole trees, with lights and decorations removed, at the City Transfer Station:
Berkeley Transfer Station
1201 2nd Street (off Gilman)
Open Monday - Saturday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Closed on New Year's Day
$38.50 fee plus $3.50 Environmental Compliance Fee for dropping off flocked or plastic trees
The Transfer Station will take compostable trees for free through the end of January. Starting February 1, the cost returns to normal fee of $27.75 for disposal of up to 330 lbs. of plant debris and organic matter.
Help keep our streets and sidewalks clean by properly using your refuse and compost carts.
