The San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department will operate four recycling centers in January for customers to recycle their live Christmas trees, according to a Jan. 3 news release from local officials.

The overview

City officials said even though trees are biodegradable over time, recycling keeps them out of the landfill. The following sites will be open through Jan. 13:

  • Culebra Road Drop-Off Center, 7030 Culebra Road (Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon)
  • Frio City Road Drop-Off Center, 1531 Frio City Road (Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-noon)
  • Rigsby Road Bulky Drop-Off Center, 2755 Rigsby Road (Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon)
  • Bitters Road Brush Recycling Center, 1800 Wurzbach Parkway (daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Additionally, Atlas Organics, 8963 Nelson Road, is accepting Christmas trees Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Jan. 13.

Dig deeper

According to the news release, San Antonio residents receiving weekly recycling service may place smaller live trees in their green organic bins for their normal collection dates. The cart lid must close completely, and customers are asked not to bag their trees, the release states.



In mid-January, customers may visit the Bitters Road Brush Recycling Center and receive free mulch from collected trees while supplies last, the release states.

City officials also said they want to remind customers of the following items that are accepted in the blue recycling cart:

  • Cardboard shipping boxes
  • Clean, plain, wrapping paper (free of glossy or glitter finishes)
  • Narrow-mouth plastic bottles and jugs
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Metal cans