Curbside Christmas Tree Recycling Starts Today

Just like that, the Christmas holiday has already come and gone. Our stomachs are stuffed, our stockings unstuffed and visiting friends and family have set off back through the woods and over the river towards home. Other than another yearly deposit of memories and Santa's good behavior prizes, only a few vestiges of the holiday season remain.

The most conspicuous of these remnants might just be the 7-foot Fraser Fir that just one month ago seemed so appropriately placed in the family room corner. But after the ornaments are stripped and boxed for another year of hibernation, what's to be done with the tree itself can often present a challenge to even the most holiday-savvy among us. Luckily, Sierra Madre's waste and recycling provider Athens Services is set to begin their post-Christmas rounds, regardless of whether you've been naughty or nice.

Starting today, Monday Dec. 27, Athens Services will provide their annual free Christmas tree removal service for all Sierra Madre residents. The program will last just three weeks, so those inclined to allow their holiday greenery an extended stay will be out of luck as of Friday, Jan. 14 when the pickup program ends. While Athens Services typically waits until one day after Christmas to begin pickups, the early start is the exception to the rule, as Christmas and New Years Days both fall on Saturdays this year.

Having your tree and other green waste such as natural wreaths and garland removed is as easy as placing your whole tree and other waste items at your curbside in time for your regularly scheduled trash pick-up day. In an effort to make the program run as smoothly as possible, Athens Services is requesting that Sierra Madre residents place their trees at the curbside as soon as possible after Christmas Day.

Of course, don't forget to remove all ornaments and stands from trees. Athens will not pick up trees that still have their stands attached and trees must be free of ornaments and the bulk of tinsel must be removed. Trees that have been lightly flocked are acceptable.

For those that just can't bear to part with their tree before the Jan. 14 cutoff date, Athens Services said in a press release that residents can still call their offices at (888) 336-6100 to arrange a pickup at a later date. But remember, keeping your holiday greenery around longer than a few weeks represents a significant fire danger as trees become more dry and brittle. Athens Services says that it is for this reason that Sierra Madre residents should make every effort to put their trees out for pick-up no later than January 14.  

For those with questions or in need of additional information regarding Christmas tree pick-up, Athens Services says to give them a jingle at (888) 336-6100.