Pack up the ornaments, Christmas tree recycling under way

By Kyle B. Hansen (contact)

Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

The days after Christmas are a time to play with new toys and gadgets, recover from sugar comas and, necessarily, start cleaning up.

If that means you need to find something to do with your drying Christmas tree, don’t worry, there are people out there who want it.

The Springs Preserve and the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department are both collecting trees to be recycled into mulch for landscaping.

Recycling the trees reduces landfill waste.

“Of all the real Christmas trees sold each year, only about 7 percent are recycled,” said Henderson Park Operations Manager Doug Guild. “But recycling is a critical component of sustainability that anyone can do. It’s giving your holiday tree a new lease on life for the benefit of our environment and our community.”

Before recycling the tree, all non-organic material must be removed — no lights, tinsel or ornaments — and flocked trees cannot be recycled.

Most tree drop-off locations are open 24 hours through Jan. 15. Trees can be taken to the following locations for recycling:

•Acacia Park, 50 Casa Del Fuego, Henderson.

• Mountain Crest Park, 4701 N. Durango Drive, Las Vegas.

• Anthem Hills Park, 2256 Reunion Drive, Henderson.

• Pecos Legacy Park, 150 Pecos Road, Henderson.

• Aviary Park, 6650 Aviary Way, North Las Vegas.

• Nellis Air Force Base Recycling Center, Building 461.

• Bruce Trent Park, 8851 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas.

• Nevada Division of Forestry Nursery, Floyd Lamb State Park, 9600 Tule Springs Road.

• Centennial Hills Park, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas.

• RC Willey, 3850 S. Town Center Drive, Las Vegas.

• Cheyenne Sports Complex, 3500 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas.

• Seastrand Park, 6330 Camino Eldorado, North Las Vegas.

• Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas.

• Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas.

• Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas.

• Southern Highlands, 12200 Southern Highlands Parkway, Las Vegas.

• Freedom Park, 850 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas.

• Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road, Las Vegas.

• Mission Hills Park, 551 Mission Drive, Henderson.

• UNLV Rebel Recycling, Flamingo Road and Swenson Street, Las Vegas.

• Morrell Park, 500 Harris St., Henderson.

• Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive, Henderson.