This holiday season, please keep the environment in mind. Keep Coral Gables Beautiful wants to remind all of our residents and businesses which common holiday items can and cannot be recycled. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a comprehensive list.

Break the Box - Holiday Cardboard Recycling

Residents are encouraged to break down and flatten all cardboard boxes and place them into or next to recycling bins. Please do not place boxes out in the swale. To help manage the seasonal increase in cardboard packaging, an excess cardboard drop-off container will be located at the War Memorial Youth Center from Dec. 1 through Jan. 16, 2026.  

Please make sure all boxes are broken down before drop-off.

Recycling your cardboard helps reduce landfill waste and keeps your home recycling bin clear during the busiest time of year.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Beginning December 26, 2025, the City of Coral Gables will offer free Christmas tree recycling for Coral Gables residents. Recycling your tree not only conserves valuable landfill space but also allows the city to repurpose the trees into mulch and ground cover used in parks and planting areas throughout the community.

To ensure efficient service, please follow the placement guidelines and collection schedule provided by the city.

Single-Family Placement and Collection Schedule

Collection Requirements

• Place tree out after 5 p.m. the day before your scheduled tree collection day specified above.
• Keep tree separate from your trash/yard waste pile. If the tree is placed in the trash pile with other debris, it won’t be recycled.
• Remove tree stand, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and other decorations before placing out for collection.
• Do not bag your tree or place flocked trees out for collection.

Multi-Family Residences

Multi-family residents wishing to recycle their tree beginning Friday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 may bring it to the designated collection area located in the west parking lot (south end) of the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, parallel to Segovia Street. Please see the Holiday Recycling Map on Google. 

A drop-off for recycling cardboard will also be at this location.