Christmas tree recycling begins at 23 locations in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation began recycling old Christmas trees at 23 locations across the city on Saturday.

The trees will be turned into mulch which you can later pick up for free. The city reminds everyone that the trees should not be put into the blue recycling carts.

The Chicago Christmas tree recycling program runs through Saturday, Jan. 17.

Live Christmas trees can be dropped off at corrals at 23 Chicago Park District locations (see below for list). All ornaments, tinsels and lights must be removed, as should any bags used to transport the live tree. No wreaths or garland are accepted.

The trees are then chopped up for mulch, which residents can pick up for free at some of the locations starting on Jan. 6.

Last year, Chicagoans recycled more than 10,000 trees.

Chicago Christmas Tree Recycling Locations

(free mulch available on 1/6/2015)

Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.

Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.

Forestry Site*, 900 E. 103rd St.

Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.

Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.

Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.

Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.

Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.

Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.

Lincoln Park*, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.)

Margate Park*, 4921 N. Marine Dr.

Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.

McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.

Mt. Greenwood Park*, 3721 W. 111th St.

North Park Village*, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.

Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave.

Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.

Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L

Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.

Warren Park*, 6601 N. Western Ave.

Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.

The City of Chicago also offers electronic and household chemical recycling at Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility 1150 N. North Branch Street.