How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree, Holiday Decor In Wilmette

WILMETTE, IL — When Christmas passes, what will you do with your tree, broken lights and opened gift wrapping?

In Wilmette, it's easy to responsibly dispose of holiday leftovers including real trees, holiday lights,and styrofoam

For Christmas trees, place them at the curb or at your regular pickup location between Jan. 5 and 16 and they will be collected. Residents recycling their trees were advised to remove ornaments and decorations, plastic containers, tree stands, nails and lights.

Holiday lights shouldn't go in the trash, as they can be recycled outside of Wilmette Public Works through Jan. 31. The service is free of charge for all area residents, and only string lights will be accepted.

Electronics are accepted at Wilmette Public Works year-round. Visit the city's recycling page to see a list of acceptable items.

After opening gifts, there are several wrapping items left over. Here's what can and cannot be recycled:

• DO RECYCLE: Paper gift wrap, cardboard boxes, cardboard rolls, and paper greeting cards.
• DON’T RECYCLE: Plastic or foil gift wrap, tissue paper, plastic bags, plastic cards, rope or plastic handle gift bags, tree strands, Styrofoam peanuts, packing material, glitter, ribbons, bows and string.

Only clean, whole styrofoam in blocks and sheets will be accepted, meaning "peanuts" and food-related styrofoam cannot be recycled. Any styrofoam coolers must be clean and empty.