Recycle your Christmas tree

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – As the holiday season winds down, several sites around San Diego were accepting Christmas trees for recycling Saturday through Jan. 23.

The city of San Diego’s 41st annual tree recycling program got underway Friday. San Diegans without curbside trash collection can drop off either green or flocked trees, although city officials asked that they remove all lights, ornaments and other decorations.

Residents with curbside garbage pickup can leave their tree with the rest of their trash and recyclables, and they will be recycled, according to city officials. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

The drop-off locations are:

— Carmel Valley, Carmel Valley Recreation Center, 3777 Townsgate Drive;

— Encanto, Cielo Drive at Woodman Street;

— Golden Hill, Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive;

— La Jolla, Kate Sessions Memorial Park, Soledad Road and Loring Street;

— Logan Heights, Memorial Recreation Center, 2902 Marcy Ave.;

— Miramar, Miramar Landfill Greenery, 5180 Convoy St.;

— Mission Bay, SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway;

— Oak Park, Chollas Park, 6350 College Grove Drive;

— Ocean Beach, Robb Athletic Field Recreation Center, 2525 Bacon St.;

— Otay Mesa/Nestor, lower west parking lot of Montgomery Waller Community Park, 3020 Coronado Ave.;

— Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive;

— Rancho Penasquitos, Canyonside Recreation Center, 12350 Black Mountain Road;

— San Diego State University, Parking Lot D off Alvarado Road;

— Scripps Ranch, Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive;

— Tierrasanta, Gaspar de Portola Middle School, 11010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.; and

— University City, Swanson Pool, 3585 Governor Drive.

The recycled trees will be converted into compost, mulch and wood chips for use by local gardeners.