Recycling Christmas trees is an easy way for residents to make a big impact on the environment. Ornaments, lights and tinsel must be removed before the tree is dropped off. (Chronicle Media photo)

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) in partnership with the Chicago Park District announced last week that the City’s annual Christmas tree recycling program, which began Jan. 2, will run through Jan. 16at 24 locations citywide.

Recycling Christmas trees is an easy way for residents to make a big impact on the environment. Each year this program helps divert waste from landfills and provides residents with reusable mulch,” said Commissioner Charles L. Williams, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.

Live Christmas trees can be dropped off inside tree corrals set up at any one of the 24 designated Chicago Park District locations. Ornaments, lights and tinsel must be removed before the tree is dropped off. The Christmas tree recycling program is not able to accept wreaths or garlands. Trees should be removed from any bags when placing them in the tree recycling corrals.

Free mulch will be available for residents to pick-up beginning on January 11 at six designated locations.

Last year, the program mulched nearly 18,000 trees.

“As stewards of more than 8,300 acres of green space, the Chicago Park District is pleased to partner with the City of Chicago to offer Christmas tree recycling,” said Michael Kelly, Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.

Participating Chicago Park District locations include:

• 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.
• Mount 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.
• West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton

(*free mulch locations)

For more information on recycling in Chicago visit www.chicagorecycles.org.

— Environmentally friendly disposal service provides free mulch for residents —