The stockings are empty. The tree is looking sad. Yes, Virginia, it’s the aftermath of Christmas.
You may not be packing up already but it’s probably on your New Year to-do list. But what do you with your dried-out Christmas Tree? Don’t send it to the landfill! There are many ways to recycle your (real) Christmas Tree after the ornaments are put away.
Many cities have tree pick up and recycling right at your curbside. To find out what your own municipality has available, and on what days, check your city’s website.
If your town does not offer curbside recycling, you can drop off your tree at one of the Lake County Forest Preserve sites for recycling. Trees will be chipped and used for trails and landscaping. You’ll get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling walking the trails this Spring knowing a little bit of your Christmas cheer lines the paths of one of our many forest preserves.
Trees can be dropped off at the following sites daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset. Drop-offs accepted at the marked sites only between December 26 and February 1. They must be undecorated real Christmas trees, no yard waste.
- Grant Woods, Fox Lake – drop off trees at Monaville Road entrance, second parking lot
- Greenbelt, Waukegan – drop trees off next to maintenance facility
- Half Day, Vernon Hills – drop trees off next to maintenance facility
- Heron Creek, Long Grove – drop trees off at Shelter A
- Lakewood, Wauconda – drop trees off along Forest Preserve Drive
- Old School, Libertyville – drop trees off near main entrance
- Ryerson Woods, Deerfield – drop trees of at the end of main entrance road
- Van Patten Woods, Wadsworth – drop trees off by Shelter A parking area
Lake County Forest Preserves
1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville
(847) 367-6840 | Facebook | Twitter
Did you know that per Illinois Law small electronics are not to be put into regular garbage to go to landfills? All electronics, including holiday lights, are to be recycled and properly disposed of at one of the county recycling center. You can find the year-round drop of locations at the SWALCO website. We’ve dropped of plenty of items at the Grayslake center and it’s quick and easy.
These site are also holding temporary collections for holiday lights:
- Through January 10th you can recycle your lights in the white box located in the lobby of the Warren-Newport Public Library {Gurnee}
- Go Green Northbrook hosts holiday light recycling outside the Public Works Building (located at 1225 Cedar Ln, behind the Northbrook Village Hall).
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