Dispose of Sechach, Lulav & Esrog

Question: How should I dispose of my old sechach, lulav and esrog?

Answer: The Gemara (Megilla 26b) teaches that items that are inherently holy, such as old tefillin, mezuzos and sefer torah and tefillin covers must be treated as sheimos and buried. However, items that were used for a mitzva such as a sukka, lulav, shofar or tzitzis may be discarded after use. Nonetheless, the Rema (OC 21:6) writes that such items must not be treated in a disrespectful manner. Therefore, one should not throw one’s arba minim and sechach into a regular bin after Sukkos.

The Mishna Berura (21:6; 638:24; Shaar Hatziyun 664:20) writes that one should be careful not to leave one’s sechach or arba minim around on the floor after Sukkos where others may trample on them. Rather, one should recycle them with other branches, etc. or wrap them before disposing of them. Ideally, one should even treat the sukkah walls respectfully. Likewise, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 638:12) writes that one should be particular not to abuse one’s sechach after Sukkos.

The Gemara (Shabbos 117b) teaches that once one has used an item once for a mitzva, one should use it again for another mitzva. Therefore, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 297:4) writes that it is ideal to use one’s old hadassim for besamim (in havdala). Many Sefardim follow the Kaf Hachaim (OC 664:60) who writes that the esrog should be made into jam and eaten on Tu Bishvat. One should keep one’s lulav at home (as ‘protection’) until erev Pesach, whereupon they burn half with the chametz (see Mishna Berura 445:7) and use the other half to bake matza (see Rema OC 664:9).

While some throw their used hoshanos on top of the aron hakodesh for Kabbalistic reasons, R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 8:287) writes that doing so is considered to be a bizayon, a disgrace to the mitzva. He relates that the Steipler Gaon was meticulous to take his home after use to burn with his chametz. Likewise, R’ Yechiel Michel Gold (Darkei Chaim Veshalom 693) relates that the Munkatcher Rav decried this practice (see Nitei Gavriel Sukkos 79:7). One certainly must not do so in a Shul where this is not practised.

In conclusion, one must not throw one’s sechach or lulav and esrog straight into a bin. Ideally, one should use them for another mitzva. Otherwise, one must wrap them before disposing of them.