San Francisco To Launch Christmas Tree-Chipping Season

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- It might seem a little too soon to some - and maybe not soon enough to others -- but San Francisco will start turning Christmas trees into woodchips the first week in January.

The post-Christmas tree collection period will see its official launch on Tuesday, when officials will gather in front of City Hall for the 25th annual ceremonial chipping of Christmas trees in a giant wood chipper.

Curbside tree collection will begin in earnest the following week. Clean trees can be placed at the curb next to trash bins before 6 a.m. on regularly scheduled garbage pickup days from Jan. 3-7 and again from Jan. 9-13.

Trees should be stripped of all tinsel, decorations, plastic bags, stands, fake snow and lights. Trees over 6 feet tall should be cut in half.

The trees will be chipped at the Recology transfer station and recycling center at 501 Tunnel Ave., and then transferred to Tracy for use as fuel in a waste-to-energy facility.

For more information call Recology at (415) 330-1300 or (415) 626-4000.

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