Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Get Some Free Mulch

Residents can turn their Christmas trees into enriching and reusable mulch by dropping them off at seven convenient neighborhood locations on the North Side.

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation in partnership with the Chicago Park District will running its annual tree recycling program through Jan. 16 at designated parks throughout the city.

Participating Chicago Park District locations on the North Side include:

• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.

• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.
• Lincoln Park*, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.)
• Margate Park*, 4921 N. Marine Dr.
• North Park Village*, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Warren Park*, 6601 N. Western Ave.

Designates free mulch *

The live trees can be dropped off inside tree corrals at these locations. Ornaments, lights and tinsel must be removed before the tree is dropped off. The 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.

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

“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,” Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles L. Williams said in a press release.

Visit the Streets and Sanitation Department website for more information on Chicago’s recycling program.