OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — With Christmas being over people will soon begin to take down decorations. Instead of leaving your Christmas tree at the end of your driveway, make sure to dispose of it properly.
Omaha and surrounding cities have designated drop off locations where the trees will be picked up and recycled. Make sure that your tree is bare before dropping it off.
"One of the most important things is that we want you to remove any lights, ornaments, garland — stuff like that — plastic bags because that stuff can cause problems in the chipping process," said Matt O'Connell, City of Omaha Recycling Coordinator. "Flocked trees are okay so that’s just fine, but please remove the stand and any of that kind of stuff. We do ask that wreaths and garland roping is not taken there because wire can cause problems with the chipping."
Trees picked up at one of the five Omaha locations will be taken to Oma-Gro and composted.
If you are unable to take it to a designated location, you can put it in your trash bin.
"If you can fit it inside your waste cart — that’s the one with the black lid — and the lid needs to close fully, that is totally acceptable. Just know that will go to the landfill and not be composted," O'Connell said.
Improper tree disposal and the upcoming snow can cause harm.
"Those trees can really blow and go down the street and what we don’t want is for something to get stuck in the streets and then get covered in snow and cause an accident. Someone can swerve around it or not see it and cause some damage." O'Connell said.
The city has already begun prepping for projected snow on Tuesday and all major roads should be done by Midnight on Monday night.
In a statement to 3 News Now, Todd Pfitzer, Omaha City Engineer said there is already residual salt on many streets that should prevent the snow from sticking. The city is in 24 hour operation mode which includes all construction call in employees.
