Many Californians who are concerned with creating a more eco-conscious holiday purchased a real Christmas tree this year because of the environmental benefits it provides throughout its lifecycle, and recycling is just the next step in the process,” said Gayla Hansen, president of The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.

The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, which supplies more than 90 percent of the Christmas trees purchased in California during the holidays, recommends recycling real Christmas trees, which can be used in a variety of ways throughout the community.

Recycled Christmas trees can be used as mulch along park trails, turned into corrugated packaging, used as compost for gardens, or even sunk into local lakes to create protective habitats that provide fish with a safe environment in which to live.

Each city and region has different programs for Christmas tree recycling. Some municipalities offer curb-side pickup, and others have designated collection sites where trees can be dropped off for recycling. To see what services are available in your community, visit earth911.org and enter your zip code.

The fact that real Christmas trees are recyclable is not the only thing that makes them environmentally friendly. While growing, real Christmas trees reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which people, plants and the environment need to survive. Pacific Northwest Christmas trees are grown on sustainable farms in the U.S., just like produce, nuts and other crops, so they do not threaten natural forests. Real Christmas trees are also renewable, meaning that for every tree that is harvested one or more trees is planted in its place.

The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association was established in 1955 to protect the interests of local farmers in Oregon and Washington. With membership exceeding 1,000 farms, it has grown to further develop the market for Pacific Northwest-grown trees, educate the public on aspects of the industry, practice environmental stewardship and promote the production of high-quality, marketable trees. For more information, visit www.nwtrees.com.