SE Valley Times

Mesa residents in Arizona have the opportunity to be environmentally conscious this holiday season by recycling their live Christmas trees instead of sending them to the landfill. The city of Mesa is offering five free drop-off locations where residents can bring their trees to be sustainably reused as garden mulch and marine habitats at Roosevelt Lake. However, it is important to note that trees must be free of nails, stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments in order to avoid damaging the recycling equipment.

The Christmas tree drop-off sites will be open from December 26th to January 16th, providing a convenient and responsible way for Mesa residents to dispose of their trees. The locations include Fitch Park, East Mesa Service Center, Superstition Springs Police/Fire Substation, Mountain View Park, and Dobson Ranch Park.

In addition to the drop-off locations, Mesa residents have other options for tree disposal. They can choose to donate their trees for planting in Mesa parks, or take advantage of curbside bulk pick-up and green waste barrel service. These alternative options allow residents to further contribute to the sustainability efforts in the city.

It is important for residents to be aware that trees flocked with artificial snow, wreaths, and trees purchased from commercial vendors will not be accepted at the drop-off locations. This ensures that only natural trees can be properly recycled and reused.

To help residents navigate the recycling process, Mesa provides a Recycle Right Wizard online search tool on their website, mesarecycles.org. This tool allows residents to find out what items are accepted in Mesa's recycling program and how to properly dispose of other holiday decorations such as ornaments, light strands, and artificial trees.

The "Treecycling" program is exclusively for Mesa residents and is not available for tree lot vendors. Vendors who are looking for alternative recycling options are encouraged to call 480-644-6789 for further assistance.

By participating in the Christmas tree recycling program, Mesa residents can make a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Recycling Coordinator John Smith emphasizes the importance of responsible tree disposal, stating, "We want to encourage residents to recycle their Christmas trees and help us keep them out of the landfill. By doing so, we can repurpose these trees for beneficial use, such as garden mulch and marine habitats."

For more information on the Christmas tree recycling program and other recycling initiatives in Mesa, residents are encouraged to visit mesarecycles.org.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.mesaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/9163/16