From Mother Earth News:
For many of us, decorating a Christmas tree is our favorite part of the holiday season. If you’re one of the more than 30 million people who put up a live tree this year, you might want to consider extending its usefulness once the season ends. Instead of tossing your perfectly shaped pine or fir into the garbage where it will only end up in a landfill, try one of these creative recycling avenues:
- Keep it on your land. If you have a suitable place on your property to let a tree decompose, it can become a nursery to insects, fungi and possibly even amphibians and reptiles. Or consider keeping it in its stand and placing it out of doors as a bird sanctuary.
- Use it in the garden. Trim branches off and place them over perennial beds to reduce frost heaving caused by freezing and thawing. Then use the trunks to create sturdy, homemade trellises or tomato stakes.
- Toss it in the stove. Use a few dry branches as kindling to start your fires.
Published by permission from Mother Earth News. Copyright 2006 by Ogden Publications, Inc. To check out more earth-friendly articles, visit MotherEarthNews.com
From Truckee’s Recycling Coordinator:
Christmas Tree Recycling Program in Truckee:
Christmas tree recycling occurs Monday, 01/08/07.
Christmas trees are collected without charge on customers’ regular service days the week of Jan. 8th-12th. Trees must be exposed to view, free of foreign matter (i.e. tinsel, garland, lights, stands, nails, flocking), and cut into 3-foot segments to facilitate removal. Thank you and happy holidays.
General Pick-up Schedule for Truckee:
Please note the following changes to garbage service schedules for the winter holidays. As Christmas Day and New Years Day fall on a Monday this year, routes normally scheduled for collection that day will instead be collected the next day. Routes will return to their normal Monday collection on 01/08/06.
No Collection: Christmas Day, Monday, 12/25/06; (routes will be collected 12/26/06)
New Years Day, Monday, 1/01/07; (routes will be collected 01/02/07)
In the event of severe weather, routes will be completed at the earliest opportunity.
General Pick-Up Notes for Truckee
Materials placed in containers are the customer’s responsibility. Hazardous items are prohibited. Customers are asked to bag all loose items. Styrofoam packing peanuts are a special nuisance and must be bagged securely or recycled via a local mailing center. Garbage enclosures must be kept accessible on service day. Customers must not place hot ashes out for collection. Customers are encouraged to recycle via the curbside bluebag program.
Provided by Nicole Dorr, Truckee’s Recycling Coordinator. Nicole can be reached at 530-582-2909 or by email at ndorr@townoftruckee.com for other questions.
