The Los Angeles Department of Sanitation is offering curbside collection for Christmas trees to make it convenient to properly and safely recycle the trees.

Residents are asked to either cut up trees and place the pieces in the green waste bins or place full-sized trees next to the bins on collection days. All ornaments, tinsel and stands must be removed. The trees will be recycled in mulch.

Residents are asked to place Christmas trees in curbside yard waste bins for pick-up and recycling, or to bring them to drop-off sites. (photo courtesy of LA Sanitation)

Additionally, holiday wrapping paper, cartons, cardboard, Styrofoam and other expanded polystyrene products, plastics and gift boxes are recyclable and should be placed in the blue bin. However, it is illegal to place household hazardous waste, such as electronics and batteries in the collection bins. Those items should be taken to S.A.F.E. Centers for safe disposal and recycling. In the local area, the city S.A.F.E. Center is located at UCLA at 550 Charles E. Young Drive West. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Electronic waste is only accepted on Saturday.

Christmas trees can also be dropped off on Sunday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at six locations operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. In the local area, Christmas trees can be dropped off at a facility located in the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot, 5333 Zoo Drive; at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave.; and the Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, 5001 Rodeo Road. Additionally, many fire stations will accept trees though mid-January, including Fire Station 29 at 4029 Wilshire Blvd. For information, call (800)773-2489.