Christmas Trees Disposal

With the holidays over and the efficient among us having taken down the strings of outdoor lights, people are getting serious about getting rid of those dried-out Christmas trees. Los Angeles County residents can donate non-flocked Christmas trees for composting at more than two dozen locations. Sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Before recycling a tree, remove stands, nails and ornaments, including tinsel.

With the holidays over and the efficient among us having taken down the strings of outdoor lights, people are getting serious about getting rid of those dried-out Christmas trees. Los Angeles County residents can donate non-flocked Christmas trees for composting at more than two dozen locations. Sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Before recycling a tree, remove stands, nails and ornaments, including tinsel.

Now that most Christmas trees are ready to be thrown out, some Orange County cities are encouraging residents to contribute them for mulching or community bonfires as alternatives to leaving them on curbsides for the weekly trash pickup.

Like unwanted holiday gifts returned by shoppers, San Fernando Valley residents began discarding their Christmas trees this week, a bothersome annual ritual that has become even more of a hassle in 1996. Last year, many residents simply tossed their brittle firs and pines by the curb for pick up--despite city warnings not to.

Most cities and disposal companies have rules for picking up and recycling Christmas trees. Most require that: * All trees be stripped of ornaments, tinsel and decorations * Flocked trees, which cannot be recycled, be set out for regular trash collection * Tree stands and nails be removed * Curbside collection be done on regular trash pickup days CURBSIDE RECYCLING AVAILABLE * Aliso Viejo, Jan. 2-12 * Anaheim, through Jan. 5 * Brea, through Jan. 5 * * Costa Mesa, Jan. 2-1 * Cypress, Jan.

Like unwanted holiday gifts returned by shoppers, San Fernando Valley residents began discarding their Christmas trees this week, a bothersome annual ritual that has become even more of a hassle in 1996. Last year, many residents simply tossed their brittle firs and pines by the curb for pick up--despite city warnings not to.

Curbside Christmas tree recycling will be available in Agoura Hills between Tuesday and Jan. 6. The city's trash haulers, Hillside Rubbish Co. and Las Virgenes Disposal Co., will pick up the trees on the same day trash and recyclables are picked up. Trees may be placed on curbs or cut into sections and placed in green waste recycling containers. They must be free of ornaments, nails, metal stands and tinsel. Flocked trees and trees sprayed with fire retardant chemicals will be accepted.

Now that Christmas has passed, what is to be done with that drying Christmas tree? Cities across the Westside are offering a pickup service or free mulching at drop-off centers. Malibu and Culver City residents can add their trees to the yard waste for city curbside pickup. West Los Angeles residents can drop off their trees between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. this weekend or Jan. 6 and 7 at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave., or at the Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W.

Thousands of Christmas trees are being collected this week throughout the South Bay in public and private recycling programs that participants hope will become a new holiday tradition. "I'm so glad to do this. It's a good way to return something to the Earth," Diana Maruna of San Pedro said Wednesday after delivering a five-foot tree to Harbor Regional Park in Wilmington.

Most cities and disposal companies have rules for picking up and recycling Christmas trees. Most require that: * All trees be stripped of ornaments, tinsel and decorations * Flocked trees, which cannot be recycled, be set out for regular trash collection * Tree stands and nails be removed * Curbside collection be done on regular trash pickup days CURBSIDE RECYCLING AVAILABLE * Aliso Viejo, Jan. 2-12 * Anaheim, through Jan. 5 * Brea, through Jan. 5 * * Costa Mesa, Jan. 2-1 * Cypress, Jan.

Curbside Christmas tree recycling will be available in Agoura Hills between Tuesday and Jan. 6. The city's trash haulers, Hillside Rubbish Co. and Las Virgenes Disposal Co., will pick up the trees on the same day trash and recyclables are picked up. Trees may be placed on curbs or cut into sections and placed in green waste recycling containers. They must be free of ornaments, nails, metal stands and tinsel. Flocked trees and trees sprayed with fire retardant chemicals will be accepted.

Now that Christmas has passed, what is to be done with that drying Christmas tree? Cities across the Westside are offering a pickup service or free mulching at drop-off centers. Malibu and Culver City residents can add their trees to the yard waste for city curbside pickup. West Los Angeles residents can drop off their trees between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. this weekend or Jan. 6 and 7 at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave., or at the Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W.

Thousands of Christmas trees are being collected this week throughout the South Bay in public and private recycling programs that participants hope will become a new holiday tradition. "I'm so glad to do this. It's a good way to return something to the Earth," Diana Maruna of San Pedro said Wednesday after delivering a five-foot tree to Harbor Regional Park in Wilmington.

Now that most Christmas trees are ready to be thrown out, some Orange County cities are encouraging residents to contribute them for mulching or community bonfires as alternatives to leaving them on curbsides for the weekly trash pickup.