1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Insert Date]
Media Contacts:
Austin Resource RecoveryMedia Line
Desk:512-974-1800
Give Your Christmas Tree Another Life
New drop-off location for Austin Christmas tree recycling
AUSTIN, TEXAS – After Christmas trees are carefully selected, decorated and displayed throughout
December, they don’t have much use after the presents have been opened. However, City of Austin
residents can give their real trees a second life by recycling them into mulch or compost. Annually,
Christmas tree recycling keeps nearly 20,000 trees out of area landfills, which contributes to the City’s
goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.
For City of Austin curbside customers, recycling Christmas trees is as easy as setting it on the
curb. Beginning Dec. 26, 2014, Austin Resource Recovery will pick up all real trees, along with yard
trimmings, on regularly scheduled collection days. All trees for curbside collection that are six feet or taller
must be cut in half. Please set your tree at the curb by 6:30 a.m. The collected trees and yard trimmings
are then composted into Dillo Dirt™.
The City of Austin has offered Christmas tree recycling drop-off events for 30 years and is continuing this
tradition. The location has changed for this year due to an event at Zilker Park. All residents, including
those without City of Austin curbside service, can drop off their trees at 2304 Rollingwood Dr. between
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the following days:
 Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015
 Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015
 Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015
 Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015
Residents should use the following guidelines when recycling their tree:
 Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights and the tree stand
 Do not place tree in a “tree bag”
 Only real Christmas trees may be recycled
Mulch from trees collected at the drop-off location will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to
Austin residents on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015.
Media is invited to attend the Christmas Tree Drop-Off event. See below for staff availability for
interviews.
MEDIA CONTACT: Shelley Parks, Parks and Recreation Department, 512.699.9281
WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015: On-site from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015: On-site from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015: On-call from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015: On-call from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2304 Rollingwood Dr.
INTERVIEW

2. OPPORTUNITIES/VISUALS: City of Austin staff and volunteers collecting trees for mulching.
Residents dropping off their trees for recycling.
For more information about Christmas Tree Recycling visit [insert link if we want to have one].
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