GREEN Your Holidays! Recycle Your Christmas Tree!

As a NAR GREEN Designee, I ask that you join the Springs Preserve and the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee in giving our community a gift by recycling your tree. Each year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, you can take your cut Christmas trees to one of more than 30 convenient drop sites throughout the valley.

I have been doing this for years. Recycling your tree helps ensure the sustainability of our community by saving valuable landfill space. When chipped into mulch, cut trees become valuable organic material used in landscaping projects that help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy. There is no charge for this service.

How to Prepare Your Tree

Drop off your Christmas tree to be recycled and re-used at no charge. Before dropping off your tree, remove all non-organic objects, such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and nails. Foreign objects can harm volunteers and chipping machines. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

Most locations are open 24 hours a day for drop off. For more information on locations, please call Tara Pike-Nordstom at UNLV Rebel Recycling at (702) 895-3760.

Cub Scouts Picking Up Trees in the Enterprise Area

Las Vegas Cub Scout Pack 219 will be collecting Christmas trees for recycling in six zip codes in the Enterprise area. The zip codes are 89139, 89141, 89118, 89113, 89148, and 89178 in an area that extends from Tropicana Avenue and the Interstate 15 to Southern Highlands to Tropicana and Interstate 215, and everything south. This project will earn the Cub Scouts a conservation badge and raise funds for Pack 219.

Pickups will take place on January 2, 3, 9 and 10 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. For a minimum donation of $5, prospective recyclers can schedule the date and time they would like to have their tree picked up at their home. Schedule your pickup at pack219.org.

Trees must be by the garage door or house before 8 a.m. on the morning selected. Do not place trees by the curb because they may be mistaken for trash. All lights, nails and ornaments must be removed prior to pick up. Flocked trees cannot be accepted.

1-800-GOT JUNK Tree Pick Up

1-800-GOT-JUNK will pick up trees from homes for $30. The fee includes removal of tree and clean-up of pine needles. The tree will then be dropped off at one of the designated recycling drop-off locations.

The service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the Christmas Tree Recycling program season. Customers can call 1-800-468-5865 (1-800-GOT-JUNK) 24 hours a day to schedule a pick up, or book online at 1800GOTJUNK.com.