By Chelsea Meyer
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ROCKFORD — Did you know that natural Christmas trees are a recyclable resource?
According to Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, “Since 1988, more than 750,000 trees have been collected and processed into tons of reusable mulch.”
The nonprofit has 12 regional Christmas tree collection sites for residents to drop off their trees.
Wreaths will not be accepted due to the wire frames. You can drop-off your tree Jan. 1-15.
The collected trees will be recycled and processed into reusable mulch, which can be retrieved by residents for personal use at each collection site until March 1.
If you’re looking for another way to get rid of your Christmas tree, Rock River Disposal will be collecting trees from residents on their normally scheduled garbage pick-up day from Jan. 10-20.
Non-bagged trees should be placed alongside regular garbage and must be free of all ornaments, stands, lights and other decorations. Trees taller than 4 feet should be cut in half.
Christmas tree recycling sites
The drop-off locations for tree recycling and mulch pickup are:
- Levings Lake, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford
- Andrews Park, 800 N. Central Ave., Rockford
- Gambino Park, 4421 Pepper Drive, Rockford
- Alpine Park, 950 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
- Sandy Hollow Golf Course, 2670 Sandy Hollow Road, Rockford
- Martin Park, 5600 Park Ridge Road, Loves Park
- Baumann Park on South Walnut Street in Cherry Valley (daylight hours only)
- Rockton boat ramp parking area, 830 E. Main St., Rockton
- Valley View Farms, 6440 Belvidere Road, Roscoe
- Davis Village Hall, 104 East McKimmey St., Davis
- Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve, 4550 N. Pecatonica Road
- Schoonmaker Park, 10500 Ventura Blvd., Machesney Park