Day 360 – If you’re not boxing or bagging up your Christmas tree at the end of the season to reuse next year, then you either don’t have one or you have a real tree. And if you have a real tree you should not throw it away. In the city of Chicago you can have your tree turned into mulch

“By foregoing the landfill, your tree won’t be rotting away releasing greenhouse gas emissions or taking up landfill space; instead, the mulch it creates will be used to benefit plants and soil at local parks and forests.” – Recycle By City

Chicago’s Tree Recycling Program runs from January 8th through the 22nd at 26 parks across the City. 

A few things to know before dropping off your tree.

1. Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted.
2. No garland or wreaths.
3. All tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed.
4. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls. 

Six locations will also provide free mulch on a first-come, first-served basis, starting January 12th: Lincoln Park, Margate Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, North Park Village, Warren Park, and the Forestry Site.

To see a complete list of all 26 participating parks, click HERE!

If you don’t live in Chicago and want to find your closest tree recycling location, click HERE! Type in Christmas trees and your zip code.

Start the new year off with a gift to the planet.

Tomorrow, Chicago organizations helping the planet.