‘Tis the season - for recycling! Holiday festivities often result in many items and materials that must be disposed of properly. The guide below details how to dispose of common items such as Christmas trees, strings of lights, and more!
Drop Off Dates & Locations:
Residents can drop off their trees for recycling from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026, at the following locations:
- Eaton Blanche Park
3100 E. Del Mar Blvd.
Bring your tree to the parking lot on Millicent Way. - Robinson Park
1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Bring your tree to the parking lot on Morton Street.
Please REMOVE all stands, ornaments and lights
Curbside Pickup Dates (Your Trash Pickup Day)
From January 5 through January 16, City of Pasadena Refuse customers can set their Christmas trees out on the street next to their containers for pickup on their regularly scheduled collection days. If disposing of your Christmas tree outside of those dates, you must place the tree inside your organics (yard waste) container for collection. Please cut the tree down to fit into the container and ensure that the lid will close.
Please REMOVE all stands, ornaments, and lights.
If you are not a City of Pasadena Refuse customer, contact your waste hauler for more information regarding curbside pickup of Christmas trees.
Feel free to call the City Service Center at 626-744-7311 if you have any questions.
To dispose of a tree with artificial snow, REMOVE all lights and place in your mixed waste container to go to the landfill. Please cut the tree down as necessary to make sure the lid will close.
To dispose of an artificial tree, REMOVE all lights and place in your mixed waste container to go to the landfill. Please make sure the lid will close. If the tree is still in good condition, consider donating or selling the tree instead.
If the lights still work, consider donating, reselling, or offering to a friend or neighbor.
Broken/old holiday lights are considered e-waste and should not be put in your trash or recycling. They should be taken to an e-waste recycling location such as One-Day E-Waste Events or S.A.F.E Collection Centers.
Some wrapping materials are recyclable. This includes:
- Plain wrapping paper
- Plain holiday greeting cards
- Cardboard boxes
- Plain paper bags
- #1 and #2 plastics
Other wrapping materials are not recyclable. This includes:
- Metallic, shiny, or glittery wrapping paper or greeting cards
- Bows
- Ribbons
- Tissue paper
- Cards that play music – please remove the battery within and drop off at participating battery drop-off sites
- Bubble Wrap
- Cellophane
Household batteries are considered hazardous waste and must not be placed in trash or recycling containers. The City of Pasadena offers various options for the disposal of these materials. Please see our webpage for drop-off locations and disposal options.
ACTs Thrift Store
1311 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 577-4477
Goodwill Donation Center
112 E. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 449-3721
Goodwill Store & Donation Center
340 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 204-3576
Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
32 N. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(818) 550-7467