TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — "I'm always sad a little bit every year," said Jamie Ratner.
The "winter blues" have already hit Ratner, but that didn't stop him from doing what he said is the "right way" to say goodbye to his Christmas tree.
"We took it outside and did a little distanced activity. It was time to take it down," said Ratner.
Ratner and others are dropping off their authentic trees at any of the following sites around Tucson and Oro Valley:
- Oro Valley Naranja Park (810 W Naranja Dr)
- Tank's Speedway Recycling & Landfill Facility (7301 E Speedway)
- Golf Links Sports Park (2400 S Craycroft Rd)
- Tucson Rodeo Grounds (3rd Ave North of Irvington Rd)
- Los Reales Landfill (5300 E Los Reales Rd)
- Tank's Ina Land Reclamation Facility (5300 W Ina Rd)
- Purple Heart Park (10050 E Rita Rd)
- Randolph Golf Course (600 S Alvernon Way)
- Joaquin Murrieta Park (1400 N Silverbell Rd)
It's at any of these locations that people can count on the City of Tucson to safely pick-up and recycle their trees after the holidays have passed.
"It's important so these trees don't end up in the landfill. We actually mulch it and we are going to use it for our compost this year," said Kendra Hall with the City of Tucson Environmental and General Services Department.
The City of Tucson is launching a new compost program on January 1, 2020. The mulch made from the trees will be distributed to gardens in the community.
"At every location you will see some trees that still have all the lights on them, decorations or a tree stand. We want you to remove all of that," said Hall.
Hall said Americans generate 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.
What may feel like a small stop on your to-do list can make a big difference.
"The city and the county are gradually doing more things that need to be done with respect to the environment. I'm really glad they have it," said Ratner.
The "TreeCycle" sites will be open until January 17, 2021. For more information, visit the city of Tucson TreeCycle website.
