How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree In Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA — Don't dump or burn your Christmas tree this year — recycle it instead for free in Riverside County.

One of the worst parts about the end of the holiday season can be figuring out what to do with your holiday tree. Luckily, there are several recycling options countywide. But first, trees must be stripped of lights, tinsel, garlands, ornaments and stands. Flocked trees will need to be cut up and placed in a regular trash bin.

For many residents, trash haulers will collect Christmas trees curbside for two weeks after Dec. 25. After stripping your tree, place it next to or inside the green waste container on your regular pick-up day. Trees that are more than four feet tall should be cut in half; contact your waste hauler for more details.

In Murrieta, Waste Management will begin collecting trees curbside (next to your cart) on Dec. 26 on your normal pickup day.

For Murrieta residents who don't have a curbside pickup program, El Sobrante Landfill (10910 Dawson Canyon Rd.) in Corona will accept up to three properly prepared residential Christmas trees for free until Jan. 11.

Residents can also return their trees to the ground at a Riverside County landfill to be recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment free of charge.

"Trees are made of organic material and can be recycled, saving valuable landfill space. Christmas tree recycling is offered to educate residents about the ease and advantages of organic material recycling," according to a news release from Riverside County.

Find more Riverside County drop-off sites below:

• A. Lua Wood Recycling, 18938 Mermack Ave., Lake Elsinore (until Jan. 3)
• Riverside County Badlands Landfill, 31125 Ironwood Ave., Moreno Valley (accepting until Jan. 4)
• Riverside County Lamb Canyon Landfill, 16411 Lamb Canyon Rd. (until Jan. 4)
• Riverside County Blythe Landfill, 1000 Midland Rd., Blythe (until Jan. 4)
• Riverside County Oasis Landfill, 84-505 84th Ave., Oasis (until Jan. 8)
• El Sobrante Landfill, 10910 Dawson Canyon Rd., Corona (until Jan. 11)
• B. P. John Recycling, 28700 Matthews Rd., Romoland (until Jan. 11) Burrtec customers only:
• Burrtec/Coachella Transfer Station, 87011 Landfill Rd., #A, Coachella (until Jan. 11)
• Burrtec/Edom Hill Transfer Station, 70100 Edom Hill Rd., Cathedral City (until Jan. 11)
• Burrtec/Robert A. Nelson Transfer Station, 1830 Agua Mansa Rd., Riverside (until Jan. 11)

Plus, the Beaumont and Badlands landfills are offering free compost to those who recycle their trees.

For more information about the county's tree recycling program, call the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at 951-486-3200 or visit the waste guide to make "green" holiday suggestions: https://rcwaste.org/green-holiday-suggestions.