How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Hermosa Beach

HERMOSA BEACH, CA -- Christmas has come and gone, and it's time to start thinking about disposing of that drying-out Christmas tree, city officials said.

The between time between Christmas and New Years is when most Christmas Tree fires happen, fire officials said.

Hermosa Beach residents are being urged to recycle their trees so they can be turned into mulch and compost. Last year, more than 100,000 trees were collected countywide and the resulting mulch was distributed to residents or used by city/county crews for landscaping.

The first recycling option is to use a city-issued green bin, provided the tree's decorations are removed and it is cut into pieces to fit in the bin. Another option is to place the tree at the curb during collection day.

You can place it next to your trash and recycle bins by 6 a.m. for pickup the same day the bins are emptied according to Athens Services. Christmas trees will be collected through Jan. 13, 2017.

Trees over six feet should be cut in half for easier collection.

Hermosa Beach residents can also drop off their trees at a city collection site opposite the Clark Building at 861 Valley Drive.

Residents are also encouraged to remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, metal and other decorations from the tree before leaving it on the curb or at the city's drop-off location.

--Photo via Shutterstock