Simi Valley, CA, December 20, 2007 – Each year, millions of Christmas trees brighten up homes and children’s hearts. But after the gifts are opened and the ornaments removed, the once-sparkling tree does not have to end up in the trash. From December 26 to January 12, Waste Management of Ventura County is offering free tree recycling for local residents.
“Recycling your Christmas tree is giving a gift back to the environment,” said Mike Smith, WM’s Market Area General Manager. “This program is important because it ensures that we’re protecting the environment by using Christmas trees to make compost and mulch. Our partner, Agromin, processes the trees at WM’s Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center.”
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, pine needle mulch helps winter soil to retain heat. When spring arrives, warm soil encourages early seeding and faster growth. As the season progresses, the mulch stabilizes temperature and moisture, and prevents sunlight from germinating weed seeds.
Residents should remove all stands, ornaments and tinsel from the tree. The tree should be cut in half and placed in the greenwaste container for pick up on a resident’s regularly scheduled service day.
“The trees that are collected will be turned into garden mulch by Agromin, an onsite contractor that has worked at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling center
Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a "green power" program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website
www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.
