LA city officials: Recycle your Christmas trees

Recycling a Christmas tree is as easy as taking it to the curb and having the garbage man pick it up -- free of charge -- to be composted, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works officials said today.

From Dec. 26 through Jan. 16, residents can recycle their Christmas trees by placing them curbside on their regular trash collection day.

The trees must be stripped of all ornaments and removed from stands. Those over six feet tall must be cut in half.

Residents who miss the curbside recycling dates can cut their trees into smaller pieces and place them in their green waste container to be recycled into compost, mulch or ground cover, or take them to a collection site.

The department said between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than during any other time of the year.

To cut back on trash, residents should consider shopping with reusable bags, and decorating presents with reusable ribbons instead of wrapping them with paper, the department said.

The department also suggested setting holiday tables with linens and china instead of disposable plastic plates, cups and utensils. They also advised using rechargeable batteries for electronic toys and other battery operated items.

More information is available on the Web site www.CleanLA.com or by calling 1 (888) Clean LA.