If you bought a real Christmas tree this year, you cannot simply cram it into your household bin once the lights come down. Rotterdam collects Christmas trees separately, with a seasonal window and a few clear do’s and don’ts.
Here is how to get rid of your tree legally, neatly, and with the least effort.
When you can dispose of your Christmas tree
The municipality’s Christmas tree system runs from 27 December 2025 to 31 January 2026. Outside that period, leaving a tree in the street counts as illegal dumping, and you risk a fine.
There is also a specific safety warning: do not put your tree out on 31 December or 1 January. The city asks you to avoid those dates because of fire risk around the year’s end.
Option 1: Put it out for municipal collection
If you want the simplest route, remove everything first. That means ornaments, hooks, tinsel, artificial snow, and any plastic.
During the collection window, the municipality allows you to dispose of your tree by placing it next to a waste container (or using the other official options listed on the city pages). Do this in a way that keeps the pavement passable and does not block the container.
Option 2: Take it to a neighbourhood drop off point and get €0.50
Rotterdam also runs a neighbourhood hand in action where you can bring your tree to a local collection point and receive €0.50 per tree. The participating points and locations are published by the municipality.
For 2026, partner organisations are promoting Saturday 3 January, Wednesday 7 January, and Saturday 10 January 2026 as the key drop off dates. Always check the official overview before you go because locations differ by neighbourhood.
Option 3: Missed the period? Use grofvuil or the milieupark
If you have missed the seasonal window, you will need to switch to the regular waste system.
You can bring bulky items to a milieupark, or make an appointment to have grofvuil collected. The municipality handles appointments via its grofvuil pages, and you can also contact the city by phone.
This is also the sensible route for an artificial tree if it is too large for your residual waste, or if it includes parts that need separate disposal.
What you should not do
- Do not leave your tree outside the collection window. That is dumping, not disposal.
- Do not put your tree out on 31 December or 1 January.
- Do not throw it in the gfe or organic stream. Rotterdam keeps Christmas trees in a separate system, and wood does not belong in the gfe container.
If you miss the collection period
If you miss the dedicated collection days, you will need to arrange disposal through the normal bulky waste system. Appointments and rules are managed via the municipal waste service pages.
For up‑to‑date instructions, neighbourhood notices and any last‑minute changes, the city’s waste and year‑end pages remain the most reliable sources:
- Municipal Christmas tree page: https://www.rotterdam.nl/kerstbomen
- Waste and holiday waste info: https://www.rotterdam.nl/uw-afval-tijdens-de-feestdagen
- Bulky waste rules and appointments: https://www.rotterdam.nl/grofvuil-wegbrengen-of-laten-ophalen
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