Prince George’s County Begins Christmas Tree Composting Program This Month

Prince George’s County began its annual Christmas Tree Composting Program on January 5, providing a way for residents to recycle live, cut Christmas trees rather than send them to landfill. Curbside collection runs through Monday, January 26, 2026, for households that receive regular yard trim service.

To qualify for curbside pickup, trees must be undecorated, unbagged and free of tinsel, lights, ornaments and plastic bags; artificial trees will not be accepted. Residents should place trees at the curb by 6 a.m. on their regularly scheduled yard trim collection day so they can be collected during normal rounds.

For residents who do not receive yard trim collection or who prefer to drop off trees, the County is accepting live trees at the Brown Station Road Public Container Pad & Recycling Center, located at 3501 Brown Station Road in Upper Marlboro. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Composted trees are processed by the County and reused as mulch or soil amendment, supporting local landscaping and reducing the volume of organic material sent to landfills. The initiative ties into broader municipal waste-reduction goals by diverting seasonal yard waste into reusable products that can improve soil health and support public green spaces.

The program’s logistics are straightforward for residents: ensure trees are cleared of decorations and placed curbside by the early morning collection time, or transport them to the Brown Station Road center during operating hours. County materials about the program are available in English and Spanish, and residents with questions were directed to call PGC311 or visit the County website for additional details.

For Prince George’s County households, the composting program cuts down on post-holiday cleanup burdens and channels organic waste into tangible benefits for community parks, school grounds and neighborhood landscaping. As municipalities worldwide emphasize circular resource use and reduced landfill dependence, this local program offers residents a practical way to participate in sustainability efforts while keeping neighborhoods clean and green.