Go Green & Recycle Your Holiday Tree This Season

The season of giving is almost here and with it comes Christmas trees that families all around the globe will decorate with twinkling lights and ornaments. But after the festivities have come and gone and presents have been unwrapped, what happens to these trees? This year, Waste Management of Orange County is inviting residents to recycle their trees through its curbside tree collection program.

“The holiday season is all about giving, which is why we’re asking residents to give back to the planet this year by recycling their trees,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “After they have been used to brighten up any holiday celebration, Christmas trees can be recycled and given back to nature in the form of mulch. We’re asking that everyone make their festivities a little greener by doing their part.”

Curbside tree collection for residents in the following cities/areas will take place the first three weeks following Christmas on customers’ scheduled collection day from Dec. 26 through Jan. 16.

• Santa Ana

• Irvine

• Laguna Beach

• Mission Viejo

• Communities in unincorporated Orange County, including Coto de Caza, Cowan Heights, Emerald

Bay, Las Flores, Lemon Heights, Modjeska Canyon, North Tustin, Orange Park Acres, Silverado

Canyon and Trabuco Canyon

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

· Remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands, and place tree inside green waste cart or at the curb.

· Place only un-flocked trees at the curb.

· Trees taller than six feet must be cut in half.

· Please note that flocked trees cannot be recycled. They will be collected by your trash collector.

Orange County residents may also drop-off their Christmas trees to be recycled at Waste Management’s

Sunset Environmental Transfer Station: 16122 Construction Circle West, Irvine, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.