Christmas
trees that illuminated living rooms, party halls and office lobbies don’t have
to end up in a trash heap after the holidays. Through the Springs Preserve
Christmas Tree Recycling Program, those cut trees can breathe life into the
world all year long.
Christmas trees can provide
valuable organic material that can be recycled and chipped into water-saving
mulch. The mulch is used in public gardens and parks across the valley to help
conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy.
The Southern Nevada Christmas
Tree Recycling Committee, which includes local government agencies, volunteers,
and business entities, is urging Southern Nevadans to give their community a
gift and recycle their Christmas trees.
Southern Nevada has been recycling trees for more than five years.
Southern Nevadans recycled nearly 19,000 trees – an 89 percent increase over
that of 2007.
Recycling cut trees is
simple. Residents, businesses, and organizations can take the trees to one of
more than 20 convenient sites between Dec. 26 and Jan. 15, 2009. Before dropping
off the tree, all non-organic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments
and nails should be removed. Foreign objects contaminate the mulch and damage
the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.
A tree pick-up service called
1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been added to this year’s program. The service will pick up
trees from homes for $20, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., from Dec. 26 through Jan.
15. The charge includes tree removal and vacuuming of pine needles.
Trees will be taken to the
nearest designated recycling drop off point. Call 1-800-468-5865
(1-800-GOT-JUNK) 24 hours a day to schedule a pick up, or 271-9333 from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more
information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, or other ways to help
the environment over the holidays, visit the Springs Preserve web site at
http://www.springspreserve.org/html/about_tree.htm,
or call (702) 822-7700.
North
Las Vegas drop-off sites are listed below.
Aviary
Park
6650
Aviary Way
North
Las Vegas
Seastrand Park
6330
Camino Eldorado
North
Las Vegas
Cheyenne
Sports Complex
3500 E.
Cheyenne
North
Las Vegas
Craig
Ranch Regional Park
628 W.
Craig Road
North
Las Vegas
