'Tis the Season to Recycle Your Tree

This year, after the presents are opened and the ornaments are removed from the once-sparkling Christmas tree, Waste Management of North County and Coast Waste Management invite residents to recycle their tree.

“Christmas trees can do more than brighten the hearts of children this holiday season,” said Lori Somers of Waste Management. “Trees can be recycled and given back to nature in the form of mulch.”

Residential customers may conveniently recycle their trees curbside as follows:

Oceanside: Tree pick up will begin on residents’ normally scheduled collection day from December 26 through January 17. For the weeks of December 22 and December 29, collection will be delayed one day for customers normally serviced on Thursday or Friday.

Carlsbad: Tree pick up will begin on residents’ normally scheduled collection day December 26 through Saturday, January 10 with tree drop off locations at Calaveras Park 2997 Glasgow Dr, Stagecoach Park 3420 Camino de los Coches, Fire Station 2 1275 Carlsbad Village Dr & Poinsettia Park 6600 Hidden Valley Rd in Carlsbad. For the weeks of December 22 and December 29, collection will be delayed one day for customers normally serviced on Thursday or Friday.

Del Mar: Tree pick up will begin on resident’s normally scheduled collection day December 26 through Saturday, January 10 with tree drop off at the Public Works yard 2240 Jimmy Durante Blvd through January 10. For the weeks of December 22 and December 29, collection will be delayed one day for customers normally serviced on Thursday or Friday.

Solana Beach: Tree pick up will begin on residents’ normally scheduled collection day December 26 through Saturday, January 10 with tree drop locations at 715 Valley Ave., and 635 S. Highway 101. For the weeks of December 22 and December 29, collection will be delayed one day for customers normally serviced on Thursday or Friday.

When placing trees for curbside collection, customers should follow these guidelines:

· Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands.

· Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half and placed next to your green waste cart.

· When possible, residents are asked to cut down the tree so that it fits inside the green waste cart, with the lid closed for collection.

· Please note that flocked trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of through regular trash service. Flocked trees must fit into the trash cart, with the lid closed for collection.

For the creative recycler, here are other ideas for repurposing your tree:

Bird feeders: Place the Christmas tree in the garden or backyard and use it as a bird feeder and sanctuary. Fresh orange slices or strung popcorn will attract the birds and they can sit in the branches for shelter.

Mulch: A Christmas tree is biodegradable; its branches can be removed, chipped, and used as mulch in the garden.

Living, rooted trees: Of course, you can get a rooted tree and then plant it in your yard after Christmas.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are the largest residential recycler and also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill-gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Our customers include residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com