12-22-2005 Christmas Trees Find New Life at Organic Resources!

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Christmas Trees Find New Life at Organic Resources!Page 1of 2 st "Building a 21 Century City " Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor RELEASE FROM:FOR RELEASE: Office of the MayorThursday, December 22, 2005 Christmas Trees Find New Life at Organic Resources! Your old Christmas tree can be a gift to the environment! As part of Mayor Luecke’s Clean City initiative, the City will begin collecting discarded, natural Christmas trees on Tuesday, January 3, on a call-in basis. The number to call for Christmas tree pickup is 235-9244. All trees are recycled at Organic Resources to produce high quality mulch, as part of South Bend’s proactive environmental stewardship. On Monday, January 9, Street Department crews will begin collecting trees without the need to call in. Crews will start in the northeast quadrant of the city and work clockwise around the city. IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING SAFETY TIPS! Residents are asked to follow these guidelines for safe and efficient tree pickup: • All trees should be placed on the tree lawn, near the curb, by 6:00 AM. Do not place trees in the street or in alleys. • Please remove all lights, ornaments, and metal, including tree stands or nails, before discarding Christmas trees. Items left on trees can injure employees or seriously damage the tree shredding equipment, leaving it inoperable. • Artificial trees and trees including any metal, glass, or wire, will NOT be collected and will be the owner’s responsibility to dispose. Crews will work 24 hours per day, five days per week, weather permitting. In the event of snow, plowing will take precedence. By starting general pickup later, the City hopes to collect more trees in a shorter amount of time, saving personnel and fuel costs. The Division of Street’s strategic approach to Christmas tree collection and recycling is designed for labor efficiency and cost effectiveness. Trees are shredded as they are collected. Four to five trucks are assigned to one area with a central chipping machine. Each truck load contains approximately 300 shredded trees! Shredding trees onsite is one of many ways the City is working to reduce labor and fuel costs, while still providing a high level of services to its residents. Also, as a reminder, residents and business owners are asked, as they shovel sidewalks and drives, to please take a little extra time to clear snow and ice from fire hydrants that are located on or near their property. With the snow already on the ground, additional snow accumulation could obscure hydrants from the view of fire fighters, or block their access. By taking the time to clear hydrants now, valuable time is saved for fire fighters in the event of an emergency. Help your South Bend fire fighters provide our community with the best services possible! Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases_2005/122205_ChristmasTrees.htm1/13/2006