Dec. 26—When the ornaments are away, the strains of carols have faded and Christmas cookies have been devoured, it might be time to dispose of the Christmas tree.
Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County's free Christmas tree recycling program will begin Jan. 2 and run through Jan. 13. County residents can drop off natural Christmas trees from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at three locations:
—East Mountain Transfer Station, 711 N.M. 333, Tijeras
—A vacant lot at 1900 Bridge SW, Albuquerque, which used to be the Bernalillo County Housing Department location
—Paradise Hills Little League Park, 9801 La Paz, Albuquerque
To be recycled, the natural tree has to be free of any lights, ornaments and decorations.
Residents can also pick up free mulch on a first-come, first-served basis.
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho
PNM is partnering with Albuquerque and Rio Rancho on a free tree recycling program. The trees will be ground into mulch, which the public can pick up at four of the five recycling locations while supplies last.
The City of Albuquerque's program has already begun and will run until Jan. 7. The limit is five trees per city resident with no commercial customers allowed. Trees can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at three locations:
—Eagle Rock Convenience Center, 6301 Eagle Rock NE
—Ladera Golf Course, 3401 Ladera NW
—Montessa Park Convenience Center, 3512 Los Picaros SE, which is closed on Thursdays and Fridays
Rio Rancho tree recycling is available Dec. 26 through Jan. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex, 3501 High Resort SE, Rio Rancho.