Going “Green” After Christmas
Sonora, CA– Now that Christmas is over, Tuolumne County’s Solid Waste Management Division is encouraging residents to recycle their real Christmas trees.
Christmas trees can be chipped, shredded and used as mulch again for water conservation and weed control, erosion and dust control on biking trails and bridle paths, and as additives in composting operations.
Tuolumne County’s Solid Waste Management Division says it’s important to keep in mind that Christmas trees can become a fire hazard when kept too long. Burning trees in the fireplace is also extremely dangerous.
Local collection companies, the Big Oak Flat/Groveland Transfer Station and the Cal Sierra/Waste Management Earth Resource Facility are accepting Christmas trees for a limited time for free under certain conditions.
The Big Oak Flat/Groveland Transfer Station is located at 10700 Merrell Road. While they will accept clean cut and bundled trees at no charge, the minimum gate fee of $14.70 will be charged for flocked trees of any kind. Trees can be dropped off during regular business hours from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm Wednesday and Saturday through the month of January.
In the Standard area, Christmas trees can be recycled at Cal Sierra /Waste Management Earth Resource Facility on Camage Avenue, off of Tuolumne Road. They will accept clean, whole trees during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday through the month of January. No flocked trees will be accepted.
For more information contact the Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division at 533-5588.
