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Community Corner

Don't Let Your Old Christmas Tree End Up in the Landfill

Here are some environmentally friendly ways to get rid of your tree — real or artificial — and its trimmings now that the holidays are over.

The holidays are officially over and as the new year begins, residents are taking down their festive decorations.

Each year, millions of trees and lights are sent to landfills when they need not be. Here are a few ways to make your holiday trees and lights keep on giving.

To recycle live holiday trees:

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  • Leave it at the curb on your normal recycling day and the garbage collectors will haul it away.
  • Bring it to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, which will be accepting trees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Jan. 9 at four locations: Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Monee Reservoir in Monee, Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher and the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. All the trees will be converted into mulch for trails and landscaping.
  • Turn it into a "habitat" tree by placing it in your back yard. It will decompose naturally and while it does, animals will turn its branches into homes and use it for protection from the wind and cold.

To recycle artificial holiday trees:

  • If the tree is still in good condition, consider donating it to a charitable group that can sell it.
  • Save it for use as an outdoor decoration for next year.
  • Cut it apart to make wreaths, mini trees and other decorations.

String lights:

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  • Naperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W. 111th St./Hassert Blvd., Plainfield, is accepting used lights from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. They will accept mini lights, C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords.  The lights will be picked up by Elgin Recycling.
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