Christmas tree recycling sites open

Last year, an estimated 18,000 Christmas trees were collected for recycling in the Las Vegas Valley, representing fewer than 10 percent of the estimated 250,000 trees that help Southern Nevadans celebrate the season.

The Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee hopes to better that number this year and has set up 21 locations to collect the conifers, which will be used for mulch in public parks and gardens.

Collections started Friday and will continue until Jan. 15.

Trees must be stripped of all nonorganic material such as lights, decorations, tinsel, and so on.

Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

Those who cannot drop off their used trees can call 1-(800) GOT-JUNK for pickup. There is a $20 fee, which includes the removal of the tree and the vacuuming up of pine needles.