Recycle Your Holiday Tree and Help the Environment
- Chip-A-Tree program returns to 13 parks -

Releaseed Thursday, December 10, 2009 by the Broward County Commission

Admit it. Somewhere along the line you, too, have fallen prey to the dreaded “post-holiday tree syndrome.” Symptom? The holidays are long gone but your tree isn’t. Treatment? The Parks and Recreation Division’s annual Chip-A-Tree initiative. Last year the Division recycled 9,943 trees, representing 124 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills, and this year your tree can join those recyclable thousands.

The free program encourages Broward County residents to remove all decorations from their holiday trees (no decorated trees will be accepted), then bring the trees to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. There is a limit of two trees per vehicle, artificial trees are not accepted, and no commercial vehicles or garbage trucks are allowed.

This season’s program runs from Saturday, December 26, 2009, through Sunday, January 24, 2010, giving you plenty of time to take advantage of those after-the-holidays sales before hauling your tree to a park. And remember, the regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee will not be in effect for recyclers, so there’s no excuse not to do the right thing. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations, all of which are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except for the parks listed in bold. ALSO NOTE: All sites will be closed on January 1, 15, and 18 – no Chip-A-Tree dropoffs accepted.

• Brian Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City,  954-437-2600  954-437-2600
• C. B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines,  954-437-2650  954-437-2650
• Easterlin Park, 1000 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park,  954-938-0610  954-938-0610
• Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek,  954-970-0150  954-970-0150
• Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise,  954-389-2000  954-389-2000
• Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation,  954-791-1025  954-791-1025
• Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach,  954-360-1315  954-360-1315
• Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale,  954-791-1036  954-791-1036
• Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area, 3600 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miramar,  954-964-0283  954-964-0283
• Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek,  954-968-3880  954-968-3880
• Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie,  954-370-3750  954-370-3750
• T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood,  954-985-1980  954-985-1980
• West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood,  954-926-2480  954-926-2480

For further information, call the park of your choice, or e-mail praglin@broward.org.

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Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at  954-357-8170  954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.

2010 Bulk Waste Pick Up Dates Saturday, January 23, 2010 Saturday, February 20, 2010 Saturday, March 20, 2010 Saturday, April 24, 2010 Saturday, May 22, 2010 Saturday, June 26, 2010 Saturday, July 24, 2010 Saturday, August 21, 2010 Saturday, September 25, 2010 Saturday, October 23, 2010 Saturday, November 20, 2010 Saturday, December 24, 2010 The Customer Service Department for Waste Management can be reached at (954) 974-7500 According Waste Management, "Bulk service includes the collection of up to 15 cubic yards per residence at no additional charge. Fifteen cubic yards is approximately the size of a standard car or 15' long by 7' wide by 4' deep. Tree limbs and trunks shall not exceed 5' in length or 75 lbs in weight. Palm fronds do not need to be cut. Up to 15 cubic yards will be collected. Bulk in excess of 15 cubic yards will not be picked up and will result in additional charge of $13.00 per cubic yard plus franchise fee: total $15.54 per/yard. Items that cannot be picked up by claw truck, such as piles of leaves, small piles of twigs, or other loose material, must be placed in plastic bags of sufficient strength that can be safely lifted without breaking and do not weigh more than 50 lbs. Loose items will not be picked up. For safety reasons, please place glass items in a disposable box, carton, or crate of sufficient strength that may be lifted while containing its contents. Larger items such as glass tabletops, shower doors or other heavier type glass must be placed separate from the normal bulk for collection. Placing it with the bulk will subject it to shattering. Bulk waste is collection is for normal residential activities. Commercial businesses, nurseries, and landscapers are prohibited from placing anything out for collection. Bulk piles should be placed in a location that facilitates the safe collection with an overhead claim truck." "Bulk items may include, but not limited to: Furniture, mattresses, carpets, and other household items. Rock, asphalt, tar, gravel, tile, roofing materials and other earthen materials place in a hard bottom container. Wire and cable. Large and small appliances. Refrigerators or air conditioners must have Freon removed by a certified hazardous waste dealer. Call Murphy's Air at 954-424-7499 for removal. Yard waste that meets the bulk waste requirements described above." "Items that will not be taken: Hazardous waste (e.g. Motor oils, paint, batteries, pesticides). Contractor Generate Waste/Landscaping Company Waste (e.g. Construction materials or tree trimmings generated by anyone other than the homeowner, and materials as a result of land clearing). Exempt waste (e.g. Biological sludge, auto or boat parts, and machine parts)."

Copyright © 2008-2010. Mitchell A. Chester. All rights reserved. No claim to material and content contributed from third persons or provided by Waste Management.