Christmas Tree Recycling

Every year, the City of Pittsburgh recycles used Christmas trees into free, natural, and environmentally friendly pine mulch for all City residents. In the 2024/2025 season, we recycled over 2,325 trees!

For more information on how to make your holiday plans more sustainable, check out the PRC's Holiday Greening Guide(PDF, 7MB).

People picking up mulchTruck with trees

Turn your live Christmas Tree into mulch

By bringing your used Christmas tree to one of our convenient drop-off locations, you'll be recycling it into usable mulch, available for use by all City Residents in Spring! This event will run from December 26th thru January 26th.

Drop-Off Locations include:

  • Allegheny Center: Sue Murray Swimming Pool Parking Lot, #301 Stockton Avenue
  • Brighton Heights: Jack Stack Swimming Pool, 600 Brighton Woods Road
  • Brookline: Brookline Recreation Center, 1400 Oakridge Street
  • Hazelwood: 40 Melanchton Street, 412-422-6545
  • Highland Park: Highland Park Zoo, 7370 Baker Street
  • Homewood North: 6814 Hamilton Avenue, 412-665-3610
  • Perry North: 300 Kilbuck Road, 412-323-7209
  • Southside: Southside Riverfront Park Lower Parking Lot
  • Squirrel Hill South: Prospect Drive Roundabout, Schenley Park
  • Sheraden: Sheraden Park Parking Lot, Surban Street
  • West End: 1330 Hassler Street, 412-937-3054

Please remove all decorations, plastic bags, and tree stands. Don't leave your tree at the curb, it will be sent to the landfill.

Girl Scout Tree Recycling

Curbside Pickup Service Fundraiser

January | Date set by Troop (See below)

Christmas Tree Recycling Registration by Troop

Girl Scout troops in the City of Pittsburgh are organizing our annual Christmas tree recycling pickup in the neighborhoods of Morningside, Highland Park, Larimer, East Liberty, Friendship, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Point Breeze North, Squirrel Hill North, Squirrel Hill South, Greenfield, and all of Lawrenceville. The Girl Scouts will then take the trees to designated drop-off centers.

Additionally, two Scouting America troops will pick up from Stanton Heights, Garfield, and Bloomfield and deliver trees to designated drop-off centers. 

Trees will be mulched and not end up in the landfill. Please use the link below to register in your neighborhood.

Scouts Curbside Tree Collection Map, serving all Stanton Heights, Garfield, Bloomfield,

 

To Register For Tree Pick-Up, Please Click On This Link

Allegheny Goat Scape

Residents also have the ability to donate their tree to Allegheny Goatscape at 5222 Shamrock Way or 447 Marshall Ave throughout the month of January. A donation of $10 to their organization is encouraged to help chip the trees after the goats eat away the greenery. You can find more information at https://www.alleghenygoatscape.org/currentprojects

*Please, no painted trees, no trees with remaining ornaments or tinsel, no items with metal wiring, & no yew boughs as it is toxic to goats.

 

Video

 

Mulch Pick Up Dates and Location

With the help of the Public Works Bureau of Environmental Services and Forestry Division, the City of Pittsburgh has chipped recycled trees into mulch at the zoo drop-off location.

Users must bring their own buckets, gloves, and shovels. Residents interested in picking up mulch for their spring gardens and other beautification projects can do so at:

The Pittsburgh Zoo Overflow Parking Lot (parking area to the right)
7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Two Saturdays, from dawn until dusk or while supplies last:

  • Dates to be determined in Spring 2026

last updated: 12/29/2025

Back to top