Prince George's County Encourages Residents to Compost Live Christmas Trees Beginning January 5
LARGO, MD — The Prince George's County Department of the Environment (DoE) is encouraging residents to recycle their live Christmas trees through the County's annual Christmas Tree Composting Program, helping to reduce landfill waste and protect the environment.
Curbside collection of live, cut Christmas trees will take place from Monday, January 5, to Monday, January 26, 2026, for residents who receive yard trim collection. Trees should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on the resident's regularly scheduled yard trim collection day. Trees must be undecorated, unbagged, and free of tinsel, lights, ornaments, and plastic bags. Artificial trees will not be accepted.
Residents may also drop off live, cut Christmas trees at the Brown Station Road Public Container Pad & Recycling Center, located at 3501 Brown Station Road in Upper Marlboro. The facility is open Monday - Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
"Composting live Christmas trees is an easy way for residents to give back to the environment after the holidays," says Dr. Samuel B. Moki, Director of the Department of the Environment. "By keeping trees out of the landfill, we reduce methane emissions and turn natural materials into valuable compost that benefits our community."
Composted trees are processed and reused as mulch or soil amendment, supporting sustainable waste management practices across Prince George's County. As a source-reduction tip, residents are also encouraged to save bows, paper, and boxes for future gift wrapping to further reduce waste during the holiday season.
For more information about Christmas tree recycling or other waste reduction programs, residents should contact PGC311 by dialing 311 or visiting their website.
Download a copy of the flyer here:
For more information, contact:
Linda Lowe, Director of Communications
Prince George’s County
Department of the Environment
lmlowe@co.pg.md.us; 301-836-2115 (cell)
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