San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria, whose appointment to the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Board of Trustees has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate, looks forward to seeing, helping and
empowering the next generation of public servants. File photo/www.sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO – On Tuesday, Dec. 26, City Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava kicked off the City of San Diego’s 50th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program at the Miramar Greenery.

Representatives from the city’s Environmental Services Department (ESD) provided details about the program, which features 16 locations around the City where residents can drop off their Christmas trees to be recycled for free.

The program turns recycled Christmas trees into useful products. Trees are given a second life by converting them into high-quality compost, wood chips and mulch products for residents and business owners to purchase year-round.

San Diegans also have the option to place trees in their Organic Waste Recycling green bins, after making sure to cut them in pieces so that they fit entirely inside the bin and the lid can be closed. Over the last 50 years, the city has recycled approximately 52,153 tons of trees, which equates to 104.3 million pounds!

“We encourage residents to bring their clean, undecorated Christmas trees to any of our 16 drop-off locations within the city or place their tree in their green bin,” said Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava. “Recycling these trees helps us reduce the amount of waste going into the Miramar Landfill and it helps the city meet its sustainability goals by converting the trees into high-quality mulch and compost that residents can pick up for free at the Miramar Landfill.”

City residents may load up to two cubic yards of compost and mulch for free at the Miramar Greenery.

The Christmas Tree Recycling Program runs through Jan. 23, 2024. Both green and flocked trees (fake snow) are accepted. All tree stands, bags, netting, lights, ornaments, tinsel and other tree decorations must be removed. No artificial trees accepted.

Drop-off Locations:

Carmel Valley – Carmel Valley Recreation Center, 3777 Townsgate Drive (lower parking lot)
Encanto – Cielo Drive at Woodman Street
Golden Hill – Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive
Logan Heights – Memorial Recreation Center, 2902 Marcy Ave.
Mission Bay – SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway
Mountain View – Ocean View Boulevard at 40th Street (north side)
Oak Park – Chollas Lake, 6350 College Grove Drive (Gloria Mesa parking lot)
Ocean Beach – Robb Field Recreation Center, 2525 Bacon St.
Otay Mesa / Nestor – Montgomery Waller Community Park (lower parking lot, southeast corner of Palm Avenue and Beyer Boulevard)
Pacific Beach – Kate Sessions Memorial Park, corner of Mount Soledad Road and Loring Street
Rancho Bernardo – Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center, 18448 West Bernardo Drive
Rancho Penasquitos – Canyonside Recreation Center, 12350 Black Mountain Road
San Diego State University – Parking lot 17 off Alvarado Road
Scripps Ranch – Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive
Tierrasanta – Tierrasanta Community Park, 11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (pool parking lot)
University City – Standley Community Park (parking lot), 3585 Governor Drive. More information can be viewed at https://www.sandiego.gov/ environmental-services/recycling/ events/christmas.