Trees, Wreaths, and Garlands

Christmas tree lying next to a pair of garbage and recycling carts alongside an alley.

Holiday Tree Collection and Drop-Off

The City of Saint Paul organizes holiday tree collection from January 2-15 each year. During this period, you can place your tree next to your garbage cart on your regular collection day. Each residence may set out one holiday tree. For homes with one to four units, each unit may set out one tree.

The following are not included:

  • Artificial trees
  • Live trees larger than six feet and over 20 pounds

Please schedule a bulky item collection for artificial and large live trees.

Prepare Your Tree for Collection
  • Remove all decorations and the tree stand.
  • Place the tree next to your garbage cart. Do not place upright in the snow or lean against your cart. Make sure the tree doesn't block your carts.

You can also bring your holiday tree to a Ramsey County yard waste site for free. View yard waste collection site hours and locations.

Holiday wreath made of pine branches with needles and pinecones.

Wreath and Garland Disposal

Holiday greenery is not accepted as yard waste. This is because of likely contamination from metal wires and decorations. 

Instructions for Safe Disposal
  • Put holiday greenery in a plastic bag and place it in your garbage cart.
  • Do not burn holiday greenery.
  • Do not leave holiday greenery in your yard or backyard compost all winter. This increases the risk of getting and spreading invasive species.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website to learn more about holiday greenery and invasive species.

Reuse Tip! Remove decorations from your greenery and use them to decorate other greenery next year. 

Recycle Your Holiday Lights!

A man places a string of holiday lights into a box marked for holiday lights recycling indoors at a community center.

The City of Saint Paul offers seasonal collection and recycling of old and broken holiday lights.

Drop off string lights and miscellaneous electrical cords at any Saint Paul Public Library, at Saint Paul Regional Water Services, and at the Public Works Solid Waste & Recycling facility at 60 W Sycamore during the holiday season.

Please note: String lights and electrical cords cannot be placed in your home recycling cart. They can cause damage at recycling processing facilities by tangling around the equipment. 

Wrapping and Packaging Materials

A row of colorful matte wrapping paper on the rolls. There's no glitter or foil wrapping paper.

Wrapping Paper and Gift Bags

Most wrapping paper and gift bags are recyclable. 

The following are not recyclable: 

  • Wrapping paper with glitter or foil
  • Tissue paper
  • Ribbons and bows

You can place these items in your garbage cart. Or better yet, reuse them.

Sustainable Wrapping Ideas
  • Consider low-waste gift wrap like reusable fabric bags, paper bags, old maps, or newspaper.
  • Wrap the gift in a colorful cloth. The cloth can be part of the gift or a fun reusable way to wrap.
  • Flatten packing paper and let kids draw on the outside to create a colorful wrap.
  • Pinch the end of toilet paper or paper towel tubes to wrap small items.
  • When buying wrapping paper, choose paper that is recyclable or made from recycled paper.
Woman places flattened cardboard box into her recycling bin, set along the alley in a shoveled area.

Cardboard Packaging

There's often extra cardboard around the holidays. If you have cardboard that won't fit in your recycling cart, bring it to a drop-off sites.

Year-Round Drop-Off

Ramsey County Environmental Center, 1700 Kent St, Roseville, MN 55113.

Cardboard recycling is in the back of the property located with other curbside/household recyclables.

Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed Mondays, Sundays, and Holidays

The Ramsey County Environmental Center is open year-round. Drop off flattened cardboard (and other recyclables) here for no fee.

Holiday Waste... or an opportunity to Reuse?

The holiday season generates a lot of packaging and food waste. Annually, Americans produce 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Years (1). This is enough waste to fill 140,000 garbage trucks every week during this time of year (2). This presents a unique opportunity! 

During one of the most festive and joyful times of the year, we can take this time with loved ones to lean into practices that encourage habits to preserve what we already have. Giving these items value, meaning, and purpose, the way families and communities have for generations before us. Our Reuse Opportunities page has plenty of information on ways to repair, repurpose, reuse, borrow, and/or donate items.

Reuse Opportunities

Last Edited: December 18, 2025