By Kathy Chouteau
With the holiday season in the rearview mirror, the City of Richmond’s Environmental and Health Initiatives Division has released options for residents to properly dispose of their trees. Here are some of the options for “treecycling” in Richmond:
One option is placing your tree out for curbside collection. Richmond residents can cut their “natural, unflocked tree” (it must be 6 in. or less in diameter and reduced to 3 ft. long) to fit in the organic waste container on your usual collection day, per the City. The tree’s stand, decorations (including tinsel) and any nails should be removed. Officials advise that artificial, flocked, painted, fireproofed or ornament contaminated trees are unable to be composted, so they should be cut or trimmed to be disposed of in your brown trash container on your usual trash collection day.
Locals who haven’t already used up their allocated on call bulky pick-ups can exercise this option for treecycling, said the City. To arrange a free curbside pick-up in advance (required), contact Republic Services’ Customer Service office at 510-262-7100. Those with trees taller than 6 ft. should cut their tree in half before leaving it out.
Richmond residents who aren’t able to cut/trim their compostable tree to fit in their organic waste container or non-compostable tree in the brown container can contact Republic Services’ Customer Service office at 510-262-7100 to set up a “for fee” curbside collection in advance for approximately $20.44 per tree.
Republic Services customers with proof of residency—i.e., a driver’s license or CA ID—can drop off their trees at Golden Bear Transfer, 1 Parr Blvd. in Richmond Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the first weekend in February free of charge for compostable trees. Those with non-compostable trees or without proof of residency will be charged a disposal free of approximately $13.13 (subject to change), said the City.
As a final option, residents can also consider donating to a local organization—such as Boy Scout troops and youth organizations in Richmond—which will collect trees in exchange for support.
Questions? Call Republic Services at 510-262-7100 for more info.
