Agency Urges Recycling of Christmas Trees

LOS ANGELES —  Hoping to take advantage of the lingering holiday spirit, the city Bureau of Sanitation is urging residents to help the environment by recycling their Christmas trees.

There are a dozen collection sites throughout Los Angeles, open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this weekend . All ornaments, tinsel and stands must be removed.

Judith Wilson, director of the sanitation bureau, said the city hopes to recycle more than 100,000 trees this year.

The Los Angeles Zoo, a co-sponsor of this year’s Christmas tree recycling campaign, will serve as the major drop-off site. It is located at Griffith Park, at the junction of the Golden State and Ventura freeways.

Residents who have green trash containers used for yard trimmings are advised to cut their trees in half and place them in the containers, officials said. A tree may extend up to one foot above the container.

Tree drop-off sites include:

* Highland Park Senior Citizens Center, 6200 York Blvd.

* Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W. Manchester Ave.

* Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Blvd.

* Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, 5001 Rodeo Road.

* South Park, 345 E. 51st St.

* Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave.

* Harbor Regional Park, 25820 Vermont Ave.

The sanitation bureau is reminding residents that it is a violation of a city code to leave Christmas trees at the curb or in the street because they can pose a fire hazard.

For more information, call (800) 5-TREE-56.