The 2009-2010 Christmas tree recycling program features curbside collection of trees for East Baton Rouge Parish residents, excluding Baker and Zachary, as well as drop-off locations for businesses and residents who do not have curbside recycling services.

Susan Hamilton, director of recycling, states, “Allied Waste will collect Christmas trees placed at the curb specifically for recycling between Jan. 4 and Jan. 12, 2010, and deliver them to Natural Resources Recovery, the city-parish woody waste recycling contractor.” “The trees will be collected in rear loaders with other unbundled trash, sorted at the woody waste recycling center, and recycled into mulch or used in coastal restoration projects,” she continues.

Residents should remove tinsel, metal stands, lights, and ornaments from trees before placing at the curb, as these items can be harmful to marine life and contaminate mulch and compost products.

Drop-off collection sites open from Saturday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 25 are as follows:

• Independence Park, 7500 Independence Blvd.
• Highland Road Park, 14024 Highland Road
• Kathy Drive Park, enter off O’Neal Lane by Team Toyota
• North Sherwood Forest Park, 3140 N. Sherwood Forest
• Pecue Wood Recycling Facility, 9455 Pecue Lane
• Scenic Hwy. Wood Recycling Facility, 12601 Scenic Hwy.
• LSU, Skip Bertman Drive in lot across from Vet School

Sponsors of the Christmas tree recycling program are the EBRP Recycling Office, EBRP Department of Public Works, Allied Waste, The Recycling Foundation, Natural Resources Recovery, Inc., BREC, and LSU.

Call the EBRP Recycling Office at 225.389.5194 for more information, or visit our web site at www.brgov.com/recycle.

Recycling guidelines for Christmas

Tips for a Greener Christmas