Tree recycle centers open through Friday

Christmas trees are one of the most recognized traditions of the holiday season. But what happens after the holiday season?

Most people simply throw their trees away. Yet when they are chipped into mulch, they become a valuable resource. This mulch is used in public gardens and parks across the valley to help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has been involved with the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee for 12 years. The committee, consisting of local government agencies, volunteers and business entities, is asking Southern Nevadans to give their community a gift and recycle their Christmas trees this year.

Last year, Southern Nevada residents recycled 15,000 trees. Yet, as impressive as that is, that's a small percentage of the 250,000 trees sold in the community. Last year, more than 235,000 trees went to the landfill.

Recycling a tree is simple and convenient. There are more than 30 drop-off sites in the valley that will be open through Friday. Before dropping off a tree, remove all nonorganic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and nails. Foreign objects contaminate the mulch and damage the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

For more information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, how you can get involved and tree drop sites, call Tara Pike-Nordstom at UNLV Rebel Recycling at 702-895-3760.