Go Green This Christmas By Recycling The Tannenbaum

Sonora, CA – A real Christmas tree can keep on giving even after the holidays are over.

Mother Lode counties are offering recycling for free in January, but the public can also get in on the act.

Tuolumne County officials offer these services:

• Take the tree to the Earth Resource Facility as detailed further below
• Take the tree to the Groveland Transfer Station
• Call your local franchise hauler to arrange a pickup. This is a limited service and certain conditions apply.

Residents can also take it upon themselves to do the recycling and get some exercise at the same time. Chip the tree at home and use the mulch around the property.

A requirement for recycling trees with the county is to remove all tinsel, decorations or nails remaining on the tree. Below are the drop off locations:

• Earth Resource Facility: 14909 Camage Ave, Sonora, Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 am–3:30 pm
• Groveland Transfer Station: 10700 Merrell Road, Groveland, Wednesday and Saturday 8:00 am–3:45 pm

Of note, trees that are dropped off at the Earth Resource Facility will be ground into mulch for several uses:

• Taken to a co-generation plant to be burned to generate electricity
• Used as an additive for compost at a local facility or
• Used as a mulch at local farms and ranches or
• Offered for sale at the Earth Resource Facility
• Take home your mulched tree for landscaping

In Calaveras County, Integrated Waste Management will be accepting trees from Thursday, December 26 through Wednesday, February 1st at these locations:

•  Rock Creek Landfill: 12021 Hunt Road, Farmington (209) 754-6403
•  Wilseyville Transfer Station:  4598 Blizzard Mine Road, Wilseyville (209) 293-7277
• Red Hill Transfer Station: 5314 Red Hill Road, Vallecito (209) 736-2144