More than 20,000 Christmas trees are expected to be recycled at several sites around New Mexico when the annual recycling event begins next week.
Public Service Company of New Mexico is teaming up with Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the village of Ruidoso to offer the tree recycling. Six sites set up in the three communities will begin accepting trees Jan. 2.
City officials in Farmington are also running a tree recycling program.
Officials say the recycling programs will save valuable landfill space and generate water-saving and protective landscaping mulch.
Crews from PNM's Vegetation Management, Albuquerque's Solid Waste Management Department, Rio Rancho's Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Division and Ruidoso will be grinding the trees into mulch.
Only those trees that have decorations, tinsel, tree spikes and stands removed will be accepted.
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