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Transcript/ScriptLA Christmas Recycling
HEAD: LA Recycling Company Swaps Christmas Trees for Trash
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 12/10/2023 at 2:05 pm
BYLINE: Angelina Bagdasaryan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vazgen Varzhabetian
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 2:09
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TV/R
((EDS NOTES:
PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR WHEN DONE))
((INTRO))
[[For many years, a recycling company in Los Angeles, California, has been giving a free Christmas tree to anyone who brings trash or recycling in exchange. In doing so, the company hopes to promote the proper way to dispose of trash and to eliminate illegal dumping in the city. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.]]
((NARRATION))
Los Angeles resident Marissa came to pick up a Christmas tree for her daughter from an unlikely place – a company called Active Recycling. ((Marissa, Los Angeles Resident)) ((ENG))
“My daughter has a heart condition, and I didn’t have the money to buy a tree this year… And she really wanted one. And I saw this on Facebook, asked her if she wanted to come, and she said yes!”
((NARRATION))
Every year, Active Recycling encourages people to bring recycling or trash in exchange for a free Christmas tree. The man behind this idea is company president Errol Segal.
((Errol Segal, Active Recycling)) ((ENG))
“This is my eighth year of giving away one thousand Christmas trees free! I don’t sell them, but you need to bring in recycling or you need to bring in some trash.”
((NARRATION))
Santa Claus was also on hand to give away some of the trees personally. Not only is it good for the planet, says General Manager Diego Rojas, but it’s good for the soul.
((Diego Rojas, Active Recycling)) ((ENG))
“I feel joy every time I got to do this, you know, because this is one way we can give back to the communities. I’ve met a couple of people that might be going through a tough situation, and they may be in a situation where they can’t afford a Christmas tree. So by us giving them a Christmas tree, we can bring some blessing and happiness to their house!”
((NARRATION))
Some of the company employees know only too well how a tough situation can hit a person.
((Will, Active Recycling)) ((ENG))
“Due to COVID-19, I lost my job at a restaurant, and I experienced homelessness."
((Mike Taylor, Active Recycling))
“I want to be able to help other young men and kind of show them the different steps and stuff to get out of homelessness, get back to work and be able to have your own place.”
((NARRATION))
At a Christmas market, these trees would cost about $100 each. Here, Active Recycling employees hand out about a hundred trees a day.
((Sybil, Los Angeles Resident)) ((ENG))
“It smells like Christmas, because the tree smells good. They’re fresh and they smell good. // Just to be happy for the holidays, just to be happy…”
((NARRATION))
And to be happy, even if just for a moment, is what the holiday season is all about.
((For Angelina Bagdasaryan in Los Angeles, California, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
in Los Angeles, California
Embargo DateDecember 10, 2023 15:30 EST
Byline
Anna Rice, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
