Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree, Lights

And while most of us like to enjoy our holiday lights and festively decorated trees until after the new year, the day is coming when it'll be time to say good-bye to the trappings of the most wonderful time of the year.

So what do you do with that live Christmas tree?

Republic Services will offer free curbside collection of live Christmas trees from Dec. 31 through Jan. 11. 

Trees must be free of tinsel, ornaments and hooks, and should not be placed in bags.

The Downers Grove Park District will also host two drop-of sites for residents wishing to recycle their trees.

From Dec. 26 through Jan. 13, trees may be dropped off at Whitlock Park, 40th Street and Fairview Avenue, or McCollum Park, 6801 Main St. (north parking lot off 67th Street).

Trees will be turned into chips, which will be used as mulch within parks and landscaping projects, according to park district officials.

For more information, call 630-963-1304.

Recycle burned-out lights

Burned-out holiday lights can also be recycled; now through Feb. 1, 2013, you can drop them off at Downers Grove Public Works, 5101 Walnut Ave.

Acceptable items are:

• Mini-lights (also known as Italian lights)
• C7 lights
• C9 lights
• Rope lights,
• LED lights
• Extension cords

Items may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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