For all areas, trees must be natural and undecorated (remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands). Flocked trees (fake snow) and artificial trees cannot be composted and must be disposed of as trash.
Richmond & San Pablo
- Provider: Republic Services
- Free Curbside Window: Dec. 26 – Jan. 16. Place natural trees next to your carts on your regular collection day.
- After Jan. 16: Trees must be cut into 3-foot sections and placed inside the green organics cart with the lid closed.
- Drop-off: Richmond residents can drop trees off for free at the Golden Bear Transfer Station (1 Parr Blvd) through the first weekend in February (proof of residency required).
El Cerrito
- Provider: East Bay Sanitary
- Free Curbside Window: Dec. 26 – Jan. 16 (through the second full week of January).
- Instructions: Place your tree next to your green waste cart. The city requests that trees be cut down to 5 feet or less if possible.
- Missed the Window? Contact the office at 510-237-4321 to arrange a paid pickup or use a scheduled bulky item collection.
Kensington
- Provider: Bayview Refuse & Recycling
- Free Curbside Window: Dec. 26 – Jan. 16.
- Instructions: Trees are collected as part of your green waste service. If the tree is over 6 feet, it must be cut in half.
- After Jan. 16: Trees must be cut to fit inside the green cart, or you can call 510-237-4611 to arrange a for-fee removal.
Crockett & Rodeo
- Provider: Recology
- Free Curbside Window: Jan. 5 – Jan. 16.
- Subscribed Customers: Set your tree out on your regular yard waste day.
- Unsubscribed Customers: You must call Recology at least one week in advance to schedule a free pickup during this window.
- Size Limit: Trees must be 5 feet or less; cut taller trees in half.
Hercules, Pinole & Unincorporated Areas
(Includes El Sobrante, North Richmond, Montalvin Manor, and Bayview)
- Provider: Republic Services
- Primary Method: Cut the tree into 3-foot sections and place them inside your green organics cart on your regular service day.
- On-Call Cleanup: Use one of your annual “On-Call Curbside Bulky Cleanups” for a whole tree. Call 510-262-7100 to schedule.
- Special Note for Hercules: The city often observes a curbside window similar to Richmond (Dec 26–Jan 16), but residents are encouraged to use the green cart or bulky pickup to guarantee collection.
Important Reminder: Because Christmas and New Year’s Day fell on Thursdays this year, collection for the remainder of those weeks will be delayed by one day (Thursday customers moved to Friday; Friday customers moved to Saturday).
