Christmas Tree Recycling Plan Gets Underway

That Christmas tree that was so green and fresh when you bought it a month ago is now probably dry and brittle.

So how can you properly dispose of what is fast becoming a fire hazard?

Instead of taking up space in Los Angeles’ alleys or landfills, today’s Christmas tree can become tomorrow’s garden mulch, thanks to a recycling program announced Monday by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation.

“Recycling trees means you help the environment,” said Drew Sones of the city bureau. “You also protect yourself from the fire hazard of having abandoned, dried-up trees in the street and in the alleys.”

Los Angeles residents have two ways to recycle trees, once the tinsel, ornaments and stands are removed.

The trees can be cut up and placed in the green, 64-gallon yard-trimming container the city provides most residences, and the container placed at the curb for pickup by the city on trash pickup day.

Trees may not extend more than one foot outside the container, Sones said.

City trash trucks began picking up the green containers Monday, but Sones warned the city will not pick up trees placed outside the container at the curb. Residents who put their trees at the curb outside of the green containers can be cited for creating a fire hazard, Sones said.

In addition, flocked trees cannot be recycled. They should be cut into pieces and placed in the regular black containers provided by the city to residents for trash disposal.

The other recycling option is to dispose of trees at one of the 12 city-sanctioned drop-off sites throughout Los Angeles that will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Jan. 8, 9 and 15.

Tree drop-off sites will be opened at the Los Angeles Zoo, Branford Park in Arleta, Sunland Park, Balboa Sports Center in Encino, Chatsworth Park South, the Highland Park Senior Citizen Center, Westchester Municipal Building, Hollywood Bowl, Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, South Park, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center and the Harbor Regional Park.

Last year, 150,000 Christmas trees were recycled by Los Angeles residents, Sones said.

The trees are turned over to private companies that grind them to create mulching and composting material that is later sold to gardeners, Sones said.

Residents needing more information on recycling trees may contact the city at (800) 587-3356.