Metro Chrsitmas tree recycling efforts a success

RIO RANCHO — PNM announced last week that more than 6,000 Christmas trees were recycled at four locations throughout the Metro, including at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex.

PNM said that the program resulted in more than 90,000 pounds of mulch being chipped into mulch.

For more than 30 years, crews from PNM have been partnering with the City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department and Rio Rancho’s Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful Division to grind Christmas trees into mulch after the holidays, which can be used to provide a better growing environment for plants in city common areas and residential landscapes.

“Most people may not think there is a correlation between PNM and vegetation, but it is an important part of the company’s work,” said David Stricker, the manager of vegetation management at PNM. “As part of our wildfire mitigation practices, and to help ensure reliability to customers, PNM proactively trims trees and monitors tree growth around powerlines throughout the company’s service areas. PNM also volunteers its time and equipment for this environmentally friendly Christmas tree recycling project with the city of Albuquerque and the city of Rio Rancho.”

A total of 6,173 trees were recycled: 3,548 at Albuquerque Eagle Rock Convenience Center; 1,298 at the Albuquerque Ladera Golf Course; 1,162 at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex; and 165 at Albquerque Montessa Convenience Center.

“We more than doubled the number of Christmas trees that were recycled at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex compared to last year,” said Nick Dahl, Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful coordinator. “We want to thank all the Rio Rancho residents who participated, and we look forward to keeping Rio Rancho beautiful with projects of this magnitude in the future.”

“With assistance from our partners at PNM and Parks & Recreation, we were able to collect nearly 5,000 trees during our Treecycling program this holiday season,” said Billy Gallegos, drector of Solid Waste for the city of Albuquerque. “This event offers the community a unique opportunity to support the city’s recycling efforts and extend the life of our landfill.”