Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation and the Chicago Park District announced that the City鈥檚 annual Holiday Tree Recycling聽Program runs from January 3-17, at 27 locations citywide. 鈥淔or over thirty years, the City has been hosting聽holiday tree recycling聽for Chicago residents,鈥� said聽DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard. 鈥淭he annual program is just one of the many sustainability programs we are proud to offer Chicago residents, so we can all work together to fight the effects of climate change.鈥�
Chicago鈥檚聽holiday tree recycling聽program helps the City divert organic material from the waste stream, converting it to sustainable resources and ultimately helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, 22,000 trees were recycled through the program, and 411,000 trees have been recycled since the program鈥檚 inception in 1990.
鈥淎s the City鈥檚 leading greening stewards, the Chicago Park District is pleased to join DSS to host the annual Holiday Tree Recycling program,鈥� said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. 鈥淎fter the holidays have ended, we encourage Chicago families to bring their undecorated trees to one of the 27 Parks and City service locations. Trees will be converted to free mulch that will be used at parks and homes to contribute to the overall health and beauty of our lawns and gardens.鈥�
Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off inside the tree recycling corrals at the designated locations. All ornaments, lights, tinsel, and tree stands must be removed before the tree is dropped off, and plastic bags used for transport should also be removed prior to placing the trees in the corrals.
“The holiday season is a time for giving back, and I can think of no better way to end the giving season than by ensuring that your holiday tree becomes fresh mulch for your community,” said Angela Tovar, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Environment Commissioner. “We commend DSS for their continued work to reduce landfill waste and make Chicago more sustainable, one tree at a time.”