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Christmas "Treecycling" Offered This Weekend

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's a new year and it's time to get rid of your Christmas tree. There's a grassroots effort to keep your trees out of landfills.

It's called "Treecycling," where you take your old Christmas tree and reduce it to woodchips for use in local parks.

"It was sad to see Christmas trees and trees in general ending up in the landfill," said Lara Kelly, who works with the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association.

Kelly came up with the idea five years ago after the city of Philadelphia stopped curbside pick up of Christmas trees.

"I talked to a local tree company," she said, "and asked if they were willing to donate a chipper and some guys to operate it."

The effort quickly gained popularity. Last year, Kelly helped coordinate several neighborhoods, processing 3000 trees. This year she's help set up ten tree drop off sites, five on Saturday, five on Sunday.

"If we can double that number this year," Kelly said, "it would be thrilling."

Bartlett Tree Experts, All Seasons Landscaping and Shechtman Tree Care are this year's sponsors. Those who do recycle are required to remove all ornaments from trees. The suggested donation is $5 to defray costs.
This year's schedule:

SATURDAY JAN 4TH, 2014:

  • Kensington/ Fishtown – 9:30a-12:30p at Palmer Dog Depot
  • South Philadelphia – 10a – 4p at 13th and Reed Sts.
  • Northern Liberties – 10a – 4p at Liberty Lands Park
  • West Philadelphia – 10a – 4p at Clark Park
  • West Center City – 10a – 4p at Markward Rec. Center

SUNDAY JAN 5TH, 2014:

  • Logan Square – 9:30a – 12:30p at the former Boy Scouts building parking lot
  • Fairmount/ Art Museum – 1p – 4p at 22nd and Brown Sts.
  • Chestnut Hill – 9:30a – 12:30p at the Norwood Fontbonne School
  • Mount Airy – 1p – 4p at Gabbie's Garden
  • East Falls – 12p – 4p at Ridge Ave and Scotts Lane

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