Christmas Tree Recycling
Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program to Rebuild Wetlands
For over 25 years, the City’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program has contributed to the restoration of the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The trees are put to good use protecting wetlands while also keeping them out of landfills. Thanks to city residents who put their Christmas trees out for curbside pickup each year, recycled trees have restored an area of marsh equal to approximately 200 football fields. The trees also create an important habitat for birds, fish, crabs, crawfish, and shrimp.
The program is coordinated by the City's Office of Resilience and Sustainability and Department of Sanitation, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Army National Guard.
The trees are sorted, bundled, and airlifted via helicopter to be dropped in targeted sections of the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The annual Christmas Tree Drop represents a long-standing partnership between the Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It benefits the City of New Orleans and surrounding coastal environment while also providing valuable training hours for pilots and crewmembers of the 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment.
Residents are asked to place their trees curbside for collection by the City's Department of Sanitation contractors from January 8th through 13th, 2024. Trees cannot be flocked, and all ornamentation should be removed before placing them on the curb. The goal is to collect 10,000 trees this year.
Help keep this annual tradition going by putting your trees out for recycling!!
Curb Pickup from January 8th through 13th, 2024