Christmas turned to mulch

01/13/2012 3:27 PM

By AmySue Mertens
Blogger

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It’s that time of year. The time to transition from holiday cheer to winter wonderland, which means its time to dispose of your Christmas Tree if you have one. Having written on my nostalgia around real Christmas Trees, and the one I picked up this year, I feel compelled to follow that up with how to dispose of it.

My thanks to 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack for sending out several emails on the topic. I hadn’t realized that trees thrown out in alley bins will not be recycled, and might not be picked up by trash collectors. Apparently there are volunteers throughout the city who pick up the abandoned trees, but if you want to do what’s best for the tree, the city and the environment you have another option. Christmas tree recycling!

You can drop off your tree at a variety of locations across the city--those closest to the West Loop are listed below--from Saturday, January 7 to Friday, January 20. Be sure to remove all ornaments, lights, and stands before dropping off your tree.

Another benefit of recycling trees is the mulch. This is less exciting for condo dwellers like most West Loopers, but if you do have space and a need for it, the trees will be chipped and made into mulch, which will be available for pick-up starting Friday January 13 at those same sites.

Waguespack reminds us that dried out trees are a fire hazard, especially in dry weather conditions. For additional information on the tree recycling program, visit chicagorecycles.org.

Christmas Tree Recycling Locations Nearest the West Loop:

Garfield Park
100 N. Central Park Ave.

Grant Park
900 S. Columbus Dr.

Humboldt Park Boathouse
1369 N. Sacramento Ave.

McKinley Park
2210 W. Pershing Rd.

Sheridan Park
910 S. Aberdeen St.


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