They, of course, are Christmas trees, and while decorating methods and types of live trees are varied, the need to dispose of the holiday symbols is shared by residents each year.

Luckily, the city of Big Spring will once again be stepping into the picture with its annual Christmas tree recycling program, giving area residents a chance to turn a holiday problem into something beneficial for the environment.

“The tree recycling program is going to be operated mainly out of the City Compost Facility this year,” said Kenny Davis, the city’s public works director. “If people want to leave their trees at the collection point at the Municipal landfill, we’ll be glad to pick them up and transport them to the Compost facility. However, this year these two city facilities will be the only collection points.”

Davis said the seasonal effort is two-fold.

“The compost facility will grind the trees up to be used in the compost,” he said. “That way we’re recycling them and not just throwing them in the landfill. The other reason we do this is to keep people from putting the trees in their dumpsters. When people put them in their dumpsters they get stuck and cause a serious problem for us.”

For those that choose to dispose of their trees in dumpsters, Davis said the results could get serious — and expensive.

“If someone puts their tree in a dumpster or next to the dumpster, we won’t pick it up,” he said. “We’ll simply notify code enforcement and let them handle it.”

Davis said dropping your tree off is free of charge, and there are only a few, simple guidelines to follow.

“We need people to make sure all of the lights and ornaments are off the tree,” he explained. “We also can’t take it if it’s still wrapped in plastic or anything like that. You also need to make sure the tree stand has been taken off. Once they drop it off, we’ll take it from there.”

For more information, contact Davis at 264-2505.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it