GO GREEN: RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY TREE

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East County News Service

December 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- With another holiday season upon us, I Love a Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego have again joined together to encourage residents to recycle their Christmas trees and minimize the amount of waste sent to the landfill. You can put your tree to better use through recycling at locations countywide.

When organic materials such as Christmas trees, food, and yard clippings are sent to the landfill, they release methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere.

Recycling these materials prevents needless organic material from occupying space in our crowded San Diego landfills and reduces greenhouse gas generation. Recycled Christmas trees are made into mulch, which is then used to improve soil health at public parks, local farms, and homes.

Thanks to the partnership between I Love a Clean San Diego and the County, recycling your holiday tree doesn’t have to be a headache. Many local waste haulers offer curbside pick-up of Christmas tree and wreaths. In addition to curbside pick-up, Christmas tree drop-off sites are located in East County, South County, and North County.

Here in East County, the locations include El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Ramona.

Before recycling your Christmas tree, review these recycling tips to ensure your tree is recycled properly:

  • Trees taller than four feet should be cut in half or in pieces less than four feet long.
  • Remove ornaments, garland, tinsel, lights, nails and tree stands made or metal or plastic before recycling.
  • Check with your local hauler to see if they accept flocked trees with fake snow.

For a list of recycling sites as well as companies that offer pickup of Christmas trees, you can visit  WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH, that’s 1-877-713-2784.


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