Press Clipping

Don’t burn Christmas trees; recycle
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on
Friday, December 21, 2007.

Going Green
TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TREE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

  • Use it for mulch.
  • Sink the tree into a private pond; fish will have the perfect hiding place.
  • If you bought a living tree, you can plant it in your yard and enjoy for years to come.
  • Take your tree to your local recycling center instead of throwing it away in a remote area.
  • DO NOT burn your Christmas tree. Christmas trees and other evergreens are highly flammable.

    Source: www.pickyourownchristmastree.org

    By GABRIELA GARAY
    Valley Press Staff Writer

    Christmas is not over yet, but it is not too early to start thinking about ways to dispose of your Christmas tree.

    Instead of throwing your Christmas tree away, how about chopping it up and adding the pine needles to your compost pile?

    If you don’t have a compost pile, Waste Management will pick up the tree from the curb side on regularly scheduled service days starting Monday, Dec. 31, through Friday, Jan. 11.

    “This service will allow customers to continue to ‘think green’ throughout the holiday season,” said Susan Moulton, director of public sector services for Waste Management.

    The services will be offered to Palmdale, Lancaster and Quartz Hill residents.

    Antelope Valley residents are asked to remove any plastic, metal stands, lights, tinsel or ornaments from the trees before placing them on the curb.

    “We will have big containers in front of the landfill where people can drop off their tree,” said Janette Crawford, community relations manager for Waste Management. “The bins will have a big sign indicating where to drop off the trees,” she said.

    Dumping trees in remote areas can be bad for the environment.

    “Trees dumped out in the desert are an eyesore. If people recycle their trees properly it is better for the environment,” Crawford said.

    “It’s always better to dispose of things properly,” she said.

    Crawford said people who bought live wreaths can dispose of them by putting them in their green waste bin.

    “We actually run the material through a green waste, mulching, recycling process. We grind them up so that they can be used for mulch,” she said.

    “Sometimes people try to burn them in their fireplace, but that’s not a good idea. It’s dangerous; these trees catch fire quickly. Safety first!” she said.

    “Keep your family safe this holiday season, don’t burn your tree.”

    “Just put them outside on the dates provided and Waste Management will pick them up. Try not to put them out there too soon so they don’t blow away,” Crawford said.

    “If you don’t make the deadline, you can always take it out to one of the other areas.”

    For those who live outside the service areas, Waste Management will offer free Christmas tree drop-off beginning Monday, Dec. 31, and running through Friday, Jan. 25. Trees can be dropped off at the Lancaster Landfill, 600 East Ave. F, or the Palmdale Landfill, 1200 West City Ranch Road.

    For details, call (661) 947-7197.
    ggaray@avpress.com