MEDIA CONTACT: Nancee Lyons 671-2637

Washington, DC -- The Department of Public Works (DPW) will recycle holiday trees and greenery during the first two weeks of January. Residents who receive DC trash collection service are encouraged to place holiday trees and other greenery in curbside tree boxes—without ornaments or tinsel—from January 2-11, 2009.

Trees not collected by January 17 should be placed with residents’ regular trash. DPW will collect the trees, along with the regular trash, as truck space permits over the following weeks.

DPW also will provide free tree chipping service, January 2-17, for residents who bring their trees to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station at 4900 Bates Road, NE, weekdays, 1 pm - 5 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am -3  pm.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide this free, tree chipping service for residents,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “This will be added to our compost mix, which will be available to residents, free of charge, in the spring.”

Trees collected after January 17 will not be recycled.

For more information about DPW services, visit www.dpw.dc.gov