Las Vegas City Wire

If you bought a Christmas tree this year, officials with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are hoping that you recycle it.

With 21 million live trees expected to be sold this holiday season, residents are being asked to help in recycling efforts that can reduce the burden on area landfills, according to a university press release.

“When we recycle trees, we’re diverting waste from landfills, conserving water, and beautifying our local communities,” Tara Pike, UNLV sustainability coordinator and member of the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, said in the release.

The Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee has over 30 convenient drop-off locations, the release stated. The program is a joint effort of nonprofit organizations and neighborhood businesses. Locations will accept recycled trees from Dec. 26 until Jan. 15 and turn them into mulch to beautify local parks.

Last year’s efforts saw the third-highest number of trees recycled for the neighborhood program with 17,822 that resulted in 145 tons of nutrient-rich mulch or enough to fill 10 school buses, according to the release. Since the program began in 2001, approximately 300,000 trees (2,400 tons) have been recycled by the program.