'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 Orange County invites residents to recycle their tree through its curbside tree collection program.

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

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 December 26 through January 16. For the weeks of December 22 and December 29, collection will be delayed one day for customers normally serviced Thursday or Friday:

• Santa Ana

• Irvine

• La Habra

• 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.

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