Recycle your Christmas tree from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15 and help keep local parks looking beautiful. And with more than 30 convenient valley drop-off locations -- including many local parks and most neighborhood Lowe's stores -- it's never been easier.

Recycled trees lessen landfill waste that rises during the holiday season, and they provide needed mulch for local parks and public gardens. As the mulch decomposes, it adds nutrients our park's plants need to conserve soil moisture and stay healthy.

Each year, close to 200,000 trees are sold in Las Vegas Valley and less than 10 percent are recycled. But momentum is growing thanks to a partnership of local businesses and community agencies, including UNLV's Rebel Recycling program.

Last year, more than 15,000 trees were recycled, chipped, and turned into 133 tons of nutrient-rich mulch used for landscaping projects and dust control. Local landfill volume was spared 2,043 cubic yards -- roughly equal to the size of eight school buses. Lowe's will again offer drop-off sites at many of its Clark County stores, where last year more than 1,250 trees were recycled.

Valley residents have recycled more than 160,000 trees since the program started in 2001, creating more than 1,391 tons of mulch.

Drop-off Locations

Cut Christmas trees may be dropped off at more than 30 Clark County locations. Visit the Springs Preserve website to find the closest drop-off location. This year, mulch from cut trees will also be available for free to community members at Pecos Legacy Park and Acacia Demonstration Garden from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15.

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

How to prepare your tree for recycling

1. 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.
2. Flocked (sprayed with artificial snow) trees cannot be recycled.
3. Trees more than 5 feet tall should be cut in half.