If you had a live Christmas tree this year, you can recycle it. The Public Service Company of New Mexico in partnership with Albuquerque's Solid Waste Management Department and Rio Rancho's Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Division will grind the trees into mulch, which the public can take for use in their yards and gardens while supplies last. They expect 10K trees to be recycled this year.
You can drop your tree off at the locations listed below between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (FYI there is a limit of 5 trees per person.)
Albuquerque Tree Recycling Locations (Dec. 26 - Jan. 8):
- Montessa Park Convenience Center - 3512 Los Picaros SE
- Eagle Rock Convenience Center - 6301 Eagle Rock NE
- Ladera Golf Course - 3401 Ladera Dr. NW
Rio Rancho Tree Recycling Locations (Dec. 26 - Jan. 9):
- Rio Rancho Sports Complex - 3501 High Resort Blvd.
No artificial trees will be accepted. PNM Vegetation Management crews and Parks and Recreation staff will grind trees into mulch chips, which can then be used as mulch to provide a better growing environment for plants and residential landscapes.
Just make sure you take off all the ornaments, tree stands, lights, bags, and nails or anything like that because these things are going through chippers.
The mulch can be picked up at the same locations while supplies last.