Well, another Christmas has come and gone. And if you got a real tree this year, you probably have some dry needles sticking to your feet by now. Want to donate/recycle your tree or lights instead of filling up a land fill?
The City of Chicago has created a holiday tree recycling program with drop-off points around the city. The trees will be chipped up into mulch. Go here to find Chicago drop off points The runs January 7th – January 20th!
And do you have Christmas lights to retire, also? You can recycle those, too, through Jan. 31 There is a full list of drop off locations on the city’s website here –>
Lake County:
Live in Lake County? Donate your Tree and it will be chipped and used for trails and for landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County Go here for information of where to recycle your tree in Lake County —>
McHenry County:
McHenry county residents also have a few drop off locations for trees! Dropped-off trees are sent through a wood chipper to create a material suitable for mulching. Go here for information of where to recycle your tree in McHenry County —>
DuPage County:
Glen Ellyn’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center:
The Willowbrook Wildlife Center is a wildlife rehabilitation and education center for animals including turtles, foxes and owls that the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County operates.
The Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn will accept your live Christmas Tree just as long as you have cleaned it of ALL decorations including tinsel. Also, as these trees will be used in their animal Enclosures as natural habitats, windblocks and for enrichment they ask that you not drop off trees that have NOT been spray painted as this would be toxic for the animals.
If you’d like to donate your tree you must call the Willowbrook Wildlife Center prior to drop-off at 630-942-6200
Will County:
Give your tree a second life by recycling it with the Will County Forest Preserve. Your tree will take a new life “path” by becoming mulch used on our trails and for landscaping.
Please remove all tinsel, lights, and ornaments before dropping off your tree. This program is for individual households; no commercial tree surplus, please.
Trees will be accepted every day from December 27 through January 9 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Go here for information of where to recycle your tree in Will County —>
Rockford
The Rockford area has 13 drop off sites. Bring your tree in devoid of ALL decorations and wrapped in a reusable bed sheet. The trees are turned into mulch that people can have for free. The pine mulch is available on a first come, first served basis and residents need to bring their own shovel and containers.
Go here for information of where to recycle your tree in Rockford —>
