Christmas tree recycling programs begin in Chicago, suburbs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the holiday season ends, those who decorated their homes with a real tree this Christmas can plan where to drop it off to be recycled instead of sending it to a landfill.

Chicago and surrounding suburbs have tree recycling programs operating through January.

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City residents can drop off real trees at one of 27 parks throughout the city from Jan. 11-25.

For more information, call 311 or visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicago-recycles/home/holiday-tree-recycling.html for a full list of drop-off addresses. Only trees are accepted at the sites - no wreaths or garland.

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Chicago's Christmas tree recycling program was organized by the Department of Streets and Sanitation and the Chicago Park District in 1990.

The program recycled over 20,000 trees last year.