Turtle Back Zoo Gives Old Christmas Trees New Life

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A New Jersey zoo is offering eco-minded residents a unique way to reuse their old Christmas trees for 2019: give them back to the animals.

The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange recently announced that it will be accepting donations of Christmas trees until Saturday, Jan. 12. The trees will be placed in the exhibit areas of the zoo for the enjoyment of animals such as bison, goats and big cats.

Trees must be alive and in good condition, with limited needle loss. There can’t be any tinsel or leftover ornament fragments, zoo staff said.

“Remember, these are going in with our animals, so safety is key,” the zoo stated.

Donations can be dropped off during operating hours, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the zoo’s Education Center parking lot.

WEST ORANGE TOWNSHIP XMAS TREE COLLECTION

West Orange residents who can’t make it to the zoo can dispose of Christmas trees at curbside in front of their homes until Jan. 19, municipal officials said.

Trees must be placed outside without a plastic bag, and all decorations/ ornaments must be removed from the tree so that it can be recycled. Residents can also bring them to the municipal Environmental Center if they choose to do so. Call 973-325-4067 to schedule a pickup, officials said.

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Photo: Turtle Back Zoo