2026 CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING INFO AND EXPANDED DROP-OFF OPTIONS

Published on December 26, 2025

CITY OF PITTSBURGH DELIVERS 2026 RECYCLING INFORMATION AND EXPANDS CHRISTMAS TREE DROP-OFF OPTIONS

Pittsburgh, PA – City of Pittsburgh residents in recent weeks, began receiving their annual recycling and refuse newsletter. Inside they will find information on the new electronics and household hazardous waste program, recycling guidelines, curbside pickup calendar, biannual yard waste collection days, and pertinent safety information. Additionally, throughout most of January, residents can drop off live Christmas trees (after removing ornaments, lights, and decorations) at 11 sites around the city. 

Electronic Waste and Household Hazardous Waste Updates 

In 2026, the City of Pittsburgh will contract a new vendor, Noble Environmental, to manage Electronic Waste (E-Waste) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal. 

• There will now be 3 options to dispose of both E-Waste and HHW - weekly drop offs, curbside pickups, and community events. All require pre-registration. 

• Register for appointments through Noble Environmental. Scheduling can be done online at NobleEnviro.com/Pittsburgh or by calling 412-567-6566. 

• Residents are responsible for a disposal fee. 

• Cash and check are no longer accepted payment methods. 

Refuse and Recycling 

At the curb, or at drop-off sites, residents can recycle plastic jugs, jars, bottles, and tubs; glass bottles, jugs, and jars; steel, aluminum, and empty aerosol cans; flattened cardboard; and mixed paper, such as junk mail, magazines, office paper, newspaper, paperboard, and books. The drop off locations at Public Works’ 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Divisions also accept yard waste, tires, and scrap metal for recycling. Addresses and operating hours can be found in the newsletter. 

Saturday Yard Waste Collections are scheduled for April 25th and November 7th, 2026. 

To ensure worker safety, please keep trash and recycling containers to less than 35 pounds in weight and 35 gallons in size. Secure broken glass in sealed boxes or heavy paper bags. Dispose of sharps (needles, syringes and lancets) in sturdy plastic containers, like detergent bottles labelled MEDICAL WASTE.  These items should be disposed of in the trash, not in the recycling bin.  Any refuse, including mattresses or furniture, containing bedbugs or cockroaches, must be sealed in plastic bags or wrapped in plastic. 

Safely Managing Items Not Accepted Curbside 

Residents are not allowed to set out specific items at the curb due to the danger they present to workers or state and federal regulations. Some of these items include TVs and computer electronics, building materials, household chemicals, batteries, car parts, and freon appliances. Safe disposal information for these items is on our website under our most comprehensive resource to date titled “Let’s Sort It Out.” 

2025 by the Numbers

In 2025, we forecasted to recycle over 13,100 tons of single stream recyclables, equal to 2 Eiffel Towers in weight! The table below shows all the items that City of Pittsburgh residents recycled in 2025. 

Live Christmas Tree Recycling Drop Off Locations 

The City will open 11 drop-off sites for live trees between December 26th and January 26th for its annual Christmas Tree Recycling program. All ornaments, netting, tinsel, lights, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off. This ongoing partnership between Public Works’ Forestry Division, Streets Division, and Bureau of Environmental Services collects over 2,300 trees every year. Free pine mulch from the trees will be available to the public in Spring 2026. Find more information online at https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Resident-Services/Trash-Recycling/Drop-Off-Info-Additional-Resources/Christmas-Tree-Recycling or by calling 311. 

We are also pleased to promote the curbside Christmas tree pick-up initiative organized by Girl Scout Troops 52498, 16388, 52482, 20826 and Scouting America Troops 9945 & 3945. More information on this option can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-n7BWCKP_ri11R5QYIqqsAqCfHe5x0-sgKIMD-aBAmY/edit?tab=t.0. 

Christmas Tree drop off locations include: 

1st Division, Public Works (Perry North, Observatory Hill) Only open for Christmas tree drop-off   300 Kilbuck Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 

2nd Division, Public Works (East End) Open Year-Round     6814 Hamilton Ave (North Dallas Ave. at Hamilton Ave.), Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Hours: Monday -Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.    (412) 665-3610 

3rd Division, Public Works (Hazelwood) Open Year-Round    Location: 40 Melanchton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Hours: Monday -Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.    (412) 422-6545 

5th Division, Public Works (West End) Open Year-Round 1330 Hassler St (Off Herschel St. & Steuben St.), Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  (412) 937-3054 

Allegheny Center Sue Murray Swimming Pool   Parking Lot #301 | Stockton Ave.   

Brighton Heights   Jack Stack Parking Lot  600 Brighton Woods Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 

Brookline   Brookline Recreation Center   1400 Oakridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 

Highland Park   Highland Park Zoo - Enter from Baker Street, follow signs to back overflow lot 7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 

Southside   Southside Riverfront Park   Lower Parking Lot  

Squirrel Hill South   Prospect Drive Roundabout   Schenley Park 

Sheraden   Sheraden Park Parking Lot   Surban Street 

All of our resources on recycling and refuse services in the City of Pittsburgh, including translations, can be found online at https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Resident-Services/Trash-Recycling.

Jacob Williams
Press Officer
Jacob.Williams@pittsburghpa.gov
(412) 667-8264