 Image: Scott Feldstein, Flickr Creative Commons |
Yes, we鈥檝e waved goodbye to holiday season 2010. But that doesn鈥檛 mean you need to chuck your Christmas tree in the trash. Instead, this year, try recycling it. There are more than 4,000 programs across the country, and if there鈥檚 not one near you, you can always start one yourself. After all, you have 356 days until next Christmas.
Last year, about , a program run by the New York City Parks Department, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and GreeNYC that transforms trees into woodchips. It鈥檚 happening again this year, across the five boroughs. (Remember to remove all lights and ornaments before hauling your evergreen.)
On the other coast, San Diego鈥檚 hosting its , through Sun., Jan. 23. At , residents can drop off their used trees. Sorry, no artificial trees accepted. This program also offers in curbside pick-up, as long as trees are set out appropriately and those longer than 4 feet are cut in half.
In Denver, any trees collected and recycled during the city鈥檚 two-week program in January鈥攔un by Denver Public Works Solid Waste Management鈥攂ecome mulch given away free to city residents in May 2011, during the annual . Note, there are specific pick-up dates for this program, so .
If you鈥檝e searched for 鈥淐hristmas tree recycle鈥 and your town and come up with nada, think about creating a program for next year. According to the , it鈥檚 pretty easy. Contact the organization at (636) 449-5070 or e-mail info@realchristmastrees.org. You can also check out the Association鈥檚 for ideas.