When the holidays end, here’s how to dispose of your Christmas tree in Toronto.
Real trees: curbside pickup
The City of Toronto collects real trees on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day in January. To make sure it’s picked up:
- Remove everything: lights, tinsel, ornaments and hooks.
- No bags: don’t wrap the tree in plastic.
- Remove the stand and any tree skirt.
- Place it beside your garbage bin, clear of snow and ice.
Missed January? Put it out with yard waste when collection resumes in spring. Collected trees are composted or chipped.
Condos and apartments
Ask your property manager; buildings handle trees differently.
Artificial trees
Take them apart and set them out as an oversized item on garbage day if possible, or bring them to a City drop-off depot. Consider donating a usable artificial tree instead.
Holiday schedule changes
Garbage collection days can shift around Christmas and New Year’s. Check the City’s collection calendar or the TOwaste app.
Why recycle your tree?
Real Christmas trees collected by the City are chipped and composted, turning them into mulch and soil instead of sending them to landfill. Putting your tree out correctly, without decorations, bags or stands, makes sure it can be processed. Tinsel and hooks left on a tree can contaminate the compost.
Other ways to reuse your tree
- Garden mulch: if you have a garden, cut the branches and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from frost.
- Bird and wildlife shelter: prop the tree in a corner of your yard for birds to use over the winter (if your yard allows).
- Firewood: don’t burn Christmas trees in an indoor fireplace; the sap can cause dangerous creosote build-up and flare-ups.
Wreaths and garland
Remove wires, ribbons and decorations from natural wreaths and garland, then check the City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard for how to dispose of them. Artificial wreaths go in the garbage, or can be donated if they’re in good condition.
Christmas lights and decorations
- Broken lights: don’t put them in the blue bin. Take them to a City drop-off depot or a retailer recycling programme.
- Working decorations: donate them to a charity shop.
- Wrapping paper: most plain wrapping paper goes in the blue bin, but foil, glitter and laminated paper don’t. Check the City’s Waste Wizard tool.
- Ribbons and bows: reuse them next year.
Christmas tree disposal: FAQ
When does Toronto pick up Christmas trees? On your regular garbage collection day in January.
What if I miss the January pickup? Put your tree out with yard waste when collection resumes in spring.
Do I need to cut up my tree? No, but trees must be free of decorations, bags and stands.
Next year
See where to buy a Christmas tree in Toronto and Christmas tree farms near Toronto.
