Cities, Counties Offer Free Plan to Recycle Trees

REGION — After the holidays, Christmas trees don’t deserve to be treated like trash. They deserve to be treated like mulch.

That’s why the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County is providing free tree recycling to residents throughout the area--and even a free bag of mulch at recycling drop-off points.

So far 56 cities, Los Angeles County and Ventura County have agreed to bring Christmas trees for recycling at four landfills run by the Sanitation Districts.

Other cities in the county are sponsoring tree recycling programs, separate from the districts.

To find out how to recycle your tree, call your city hall. Most San Gabriel Valley cities will be picking up trees from the curb in the next few weeks.

Recycling programs normally require that tree stands and decorations be removed. Generally trees taller than five feet should be cut in half. Flocked trees are acceptable.

Among the San Gabriel cities that have tree recycling programs, which in most cases coincide with regularly scheduled trash collection days, are the following:

Alhambra; Arcadia, beginning this week and lasting through Jan. 14; Baldwin Park, on Dec. 31 and Jan. 7; Claremont, throughout January; Duarte, until Jan. 14; El Monte, Jan. 4 only; Glendora, Jan. 3 only; La Verne, Jan. 3 only; Monrovia, ends Jan. 14; Monterey Park, Jan. 2 and Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Elder Park, 1950 S. Wilcox Ave.; Pomona, ends Jan. 14 (not necessary to cut trees in half or remove wooden stands); South Pasadena, Jan. 3-7; and West Covina, Jan. 3-7.

no Pasadena will have no curbside pickup. Residents may bring trees to drop-off locations until Jan. 14. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday, and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations are Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd.; Allendale Park, 1130 S. Marengo Ave; City Yard, 233 W. Mountain St.; Eaton Blanche Park, 3100 E. Del Mar Blvd.; Hamilton Park, 3680 Cartwright St.; Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., and Washington Park, Washington Blvd. and El Molino Ave.

Those who reside in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County may call (800) 552-5218 for information on dropping off trees for recycling this Sunday or Jan. 8 and 9.

On those dates, San Gabriel Valley drop-off sites for county residents will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The locations include Charter Oak Park, 20261 E. Covina Blvd., Covina; Crescenta Valley Park, 3901 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta; Martin Park, 14830 S. Giordano St., La Puente; Eaton Canyon Park, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena; Schabarum Regional Park, 17250 E. Colima Road, Rowland Heights, and Gunn Avenue Park, 10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier.

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Participants in the county drop-off program will receive a coupon for a free bag of mulch and, while they last, $3 discount coupons for Universal Studios in Universal City.

Last year, 300,000 trees were recycled by the Sanitation Districts.