Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Effort to Begin

LOS ANGELES — If you’re wondering what to do with that Christmas tree after the holidays, the city’s public works department has the answer. The department’s Bureau of Sanitation recently began its annual Christmas tree recycling campaign, offering several ways to dispose of trees.

People must follow some guidelines to recycle the trees, however.

First, all decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed, Public Works spokesman David Mays said. Residents may then put the trees in green containers, designated for yard trimmings, at the curb for pickup. The tree can be cut into smaller pieces to fit the recycling container, Mays said.

Flocked, white trees--which cannot be composted and go to landfills--should be put in black containers, said Mays.

All trees must be placed in one of the two types of containers before the city takes them. Because they are a fire hazard, it is illegal to place trees on a curb or on the street, he said.

Trees may also be dropped off Jan. 2, 3, 9 and 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at several sites:

* Arleta: Branford Park at 13306 Branford St.

* Chatsworth: Chatsworth Park South at 22360 Devonshire St.

* Encino: Balboa Sports Center at 17015 Burbank Blvd.

* Highland Park: parking lot adjacent to the Highland Park Senior Citizen Center at 6200 York Blvd.

* Los Feliz: Los Angeles Zoo at 5333 Zoo Drive.

* Sunland: Sunland Park at 8651 Foothill Blvd.

For more information, call (800) 587-3356.