THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995            TAG: 9512280320
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   57 lines

WITH CHRISTMAS OVER, CITIES PROVIDE FOR TREE DISPOSAL RESIDENTS SHOULD STRIP TREES OF ORNAMENTS OR TINSEL BEFORE PICK-UP.

You've unwrapped the gifts and downed the hot cider. Now the big question is what to do with the Christmas tree.

For Hampton Roads residents with artificial trees, packing it away is an easy enough answer, but those with live trees have alternatives to throwing them away - through city recycling programs.

The trees are ground up with other wood waste products. The large pieces become mulch, while small pieces are mixed with leaves and grass to make compost.

Residents should strip their trees of ornaments and tinsel before they are picked up.

Commercial tree dealers with leftover trees should contact the Southeastern Public Service Authority at 548-2256 for recycling information.

NORFOLK

The Division of Waste Management will be accepting trees on regularly scheduled collection days. The curbside collection will run from today until Jan. 19.

Trees should be left no earlier than 7 the night before the scheduled collection day and no later than 7 a.m. the collection day.

Residents who do not have curbside waste collection may drop off their trees at the Little Creek Recycling Center, behind K-mart near Sewells Point Road, until Jan. 19. The center is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For details, call the Norfolk Environmental Commission at 664-4650.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Curbside tree pickups begin Jan. 8 for that week only on regularly scheduled trash pickup days. Entire trees will be used to stabilize beaches.

For details, call 430-2450.

PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth will not be recycling trees. Residents can have their trees picked up with their bulk items on regular curbside pickup days. There is no deadline.

For details, call 393-8663.

CHESAPEAKE

Curbside recycling on regularly scheduled days will be available from Jan. 2 until Jan. 12. All trees will be recycled.

Residents also can drop off trees at any of the city's 12 yard-waste dumpsters.

For details, call 547-6010.

SUFFOLK

Curbside recycling is available on regular trash days. There is no deadline. The city will process as many trees as possible.

For details, call 925-6451. by CNB