How To Have A Green Holiday Season In Malibu

MALIBU, CA — Malibu residents can have an eco-friendly holiday season by recycling Christmas trees, polystyrene foam packing materials that come with many holiday gifts, and holiday gift wrapping at the holiday recycling collection December 26 through January 12 in the City of Malibu.

"You can make your holiday celebrations and gift-giving more environmentally sustainable by recycling your Christmas trees, packaging and gift wrapping," Mayor Karen Farrer said. "Protecting the environment is a gift that we can give to our children and grandchildren."

Drop off Christmas trees at the new location from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Dec. 26 through Jan. 12 at 23575 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265. All decorations, lights, tinsels and metal stands must be removed. The collected trees will be turned into mulch for landscaping, rather than go to landfills where they release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, the City of Malibu said.

Christmas trees may also be picked up curbside if they are cut to fit in the green waste bins and all decorations, lights, tinsels and metal stands are removed. The City said residents should call their waste hauler to find out about special pick up options, since some fees may apply.

Drop off polystyrene foam packing material daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 26 to Jan. 12 at Malibu City Hall in the Upper Parking Lot at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu CA 90265. Only white #6 blocks will be accepted — no packing peanuts or take-out food containers.

As part of its "Waste to Waves" project, the environmental non-profit Sustainable Surf will recycle the polystyrene foam into foam cores to make more sustainable surfboards, helping to prevent plastic pollution from harming wildlife and habitats. Learn more at www.WasteToWaves.org.