The City of New Orleans invites residents to participate in the annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program to restore our wetlands. For over 26 years, this program has contributed to the restoration of the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, while also preventing them from being placed in landfills. Thanks to residents who participate in the program each year, recycled trees have restored an area of marsh equal to approximately 200 football fields. The trees also create an important habitat for birds, fish, crabs, crawfish and shrimp.
“Our annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program is a powerful example of how we can work together to restore and protect our wetlands, which are critical for our resilience against storms and hurricanes,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This program reflects our commitment to sustainability and community-driven solutions. I encourage all residents to participate in this meaningful tradition and help us continue making a tangible impact on our coastal restoration efforts.”
The program is coordinated by the City of New Orleans’ Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS) and Department of Sanitation, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG).
“Our wetlands are our first line of defense from storm surge, hurricanes and tropical events,” said ORS Environmental Affairs Administrator Cheryn Robles. “The Christmas tree recycling program is a great way for residents to get involved in the fight to restore our coast. Thanks to all residents who participated last year, our Office of Resilience and Sustainability’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program won the prestigious 2024 Public Relations Society of America, New Orleans Chapter Anvil Award which makes our residents winners, too!”
“Last year, we were very excited to collect double the number of trees from the prior year for a total of 8,000,” said Sanitation Director Matt Torri. “Our 2025 goal is to collect 8,000 trees at a minimum. Our curbside collection contractors find it very rewarding to contribute to the reuse of the trees to build marsh and wetlands.”
This year, the City added expanded dates and several new drop-off sites on the East Bank and West Bank to make it easier for residents to recycle their trees. Here’s when and how to participate:
- December 26 through January 3 – Call 311 for curbside pickup via the “Christmas Tree” service request. A contractor will pick up the first 400 trees called in to 311
- December 26 through January 5 – Drop your trees at these locations:
- East Bank: Lafitte Greenway, 2930 Lafitte Ave.
- West Bank: Bodenger Park, 3400 Kansas St.
- January 6 through January 10 – Place your trees on the curb by 5 a.m. on your regular garbage pick-up day. A recycling truck will follow your regular garbage truck
- Residents in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District should place their trees curbside before 4 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9th only
Trees cannot be flocked or have remnants of tinsel, and all ornamentation and lighting should be removed before recycling pick up.
The trees will be sorted, bundled and airlifted by helicopter to be dropped in targeted sections of the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The annual Christmas Tree drop represents a long-standing partnership between LANG and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The project benefits the City of New Orleans and surrounding coastal environment while also providing valuable training hours for pilots and crewmembers of the 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment.
To learn more, go to nola.gov/
