Red "UNLV" Christmas ornament on tree

Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program Begins Valleywide on Dec. 26

UNLV, community organizations team up for free annual program to turn Christmas trees into mulch; nearly 11,000 trees recycled in 2022.

(Josh Hawkins/UNLV)

Recycle your Christmas Tree this holiday season and deliver the community a gift that keeps on giving.

The Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, a partnership of local businesses and community agencies, manages more than 30 convenient drop-off locations throughout Southern Nevada.

The program runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 15, and recycled trees will be chipped into mulch and used in public and school gardens and parks across the community. The mulch conserves soil moisture, helps with dust control, and keeps plants and trees healthy.

“Recycling Christmas trees may not seem like a big deal, but collectively this small gesture diverts tons of waste from local landfills, saves water, and beautifies our community,” said Tara Pike, UNLV sustainability coordinator and member of the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee. “Plus, with convenient locations throughout Southern Nevada, it’s never been easier to participate.”

Nearly 11,000 trees were recycled last year into 95 tons of nutrient-rich mulch. The committee collaborated with Green Our Planet and the Las Vegas Valley Water District to drop mulch at local school gardens, and overall landfill volume was spared more than 1,400 cubic yards. 

More than 307,000 trees – a whopping 2,672 tons – have been recycled since the community-based program began counting trees in 2001.

The Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee is a partnership of more than 30 local businesses and community agencies, including UNLV’s Rebel Recycling program and the Springs Preserve.

Drop-off Locations

Cut Christmas trees may be dropped off for free at more than 30 Clark County locations. Visit the Springs Preserve website to find the closest drop-off location.

Mulch from cut trees will also be available for free to community members at several valley locations:

  • Pecos Legacy Park, Acacia Park, Capriola Park and Discovery Park in Henderson from Dec. 28 to Jan. 19. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Bring your own shovels and containers)
  • University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) will have mulch available for pickup at its North Las Vegas Research Center and Demonstration Orchard (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and its Lifelong Learning Center in Las Vegas (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Residents are encouraged to call UNCE’s Clark County office with questions during business hours at (702) 222-3130.

How to prepare your tree for recycling

  • Remove all non-organic materials such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, tree stands and any other material that are not part of the tree.
  • Flocked (sprayed with artificial snow) trees cannot be recycled.
  • Trees more than 5 feet tall should be cut in half.

For more information, contact Tara Pike-Nordstom at (702) 895-3760 or tara.pike@unlv.edu.

 

Topics:

holidays

Related Experts:

Tara Pike

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