Christmas has come and gone, and the tree is still twinkling in the living room. But when the lights are stripped and the ornaments taken down, what do you do with it?
Most San Franciscans know to drag their tree to the corner for free collection, and next week Recology SF officially kicks off their Christmas Tree collection program.
Trees should be cleared of all decorations and debris, and they must be placed next to trash bins by 6am on a resident’s regular trash pickup day. Any tree that’s more than 6 feet tall must be cut in half.
Trees are then collected and taken to Recology’s Recycling Center (501 Tunnel Avenue) where they will be turned into wood chips, which will finally be converted to boiler fuel used for generators at the center (Christmas trees are too acidic for composting).
In 2011, Recology reports that they collect 562 tons of Christmas trees. The tree collection program has been around for 26 years.
You have until January 15 to leave your tree for collection at the curb.
Sarah B.
[via SF Examiner]