URGENT UPDATE: Chicagoans can start recycling their Christmas trees beginning January 3, 2024, as the city launches its annual tree recycling program. This year, residents have until January 17 to drop off their trees at 27 designated parks across the city.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Streets and Sanitation and the Chicago Park District, is designed to turn your used Christmas trees into mulch, promoting sustainability and reducing waste. Only live and natural trees are accepted, so be sure to strip your tree of all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and plastic wrapping before drop-off.
Here are the 27 drop-off locations where you can recycle your tree:
– Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.
– Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.
– Forestry Site, 900 E. 103rd St.
– Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
– Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Drive
– Hiawatha Park, 8029 W. Forest Preserve Drive
– Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.
– Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.
– Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.
– Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
– Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.
– Lincoln Park, Cannon Drive at Fullerton Ave. (east side)
– Mahalia Jackson Park, 8385 S. Birkhoff Ave.
– Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Drive
– Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
– McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Road
– Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St.
– North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Road
– Norwood Park (Service Yard), 5800 N. Avondale Ave.
– Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.
– Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
– Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L
– Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.
– Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave.
– Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.
– Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.
– West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton Ave.
Starting January 5, residents can also grab free mulch at select locations: the Forestry Site, Lincoln Park, Margate Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, North Park Village, and Warren Park. Mulch is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, don’t throw away broken holiday lights! Reduce Waste Chicago is collecting these lights for recycling, expanding their program this year thanks to a $5,000 grant. Last year, they recycled over 4,618 pounds of lights from 40 drop-off sites across 17 wards.
Here are 42 locations where you can recycle your holiday lights:
– The Unwaste Shop, 1108 W. Madison St.
– 25th Ward Office, 2100 W. Cermak Road
– Working Bikes, 2434 S Western Ave.
– The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St.
– Trash Castle, 1048 W. 37th St.
– Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.
– Northwestern Medicine Galter Pavilion, 675 N. St Clair St.
– Bartleby’s Homemade Ice Cream, 1943 W. Byron St.
– Erwin Law, 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 208
– 32nd Ward Office, 2657 N. Clybourn Ave.
– 35th Ward Office, 2934 N. Milwaukee Ave.
– 47th Ward Office, 4243 N. Lincoln Ave.
– A Pretty Flower, 2334 W. Lawrence Ave.
– Henry’s House Preschool, 3655 N. Bell Ave.
– Katherine Anne Confections – Irving Park, 3653 W. Irving Park Road
– Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, 4045 N. Lincoln Ave.
– State Rep. Jaime Andrade, 4007 N. Sacramento Ave.
– The UPS Store, 4044 N. Lincoln Ave.
– Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange, 2142 W. 82nd Place.
– The Refilleri, 1007 N California Ave.
– Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber/SSA #33, 1414 N. Ashland Ave.
– 33rd Ward Office, 4747 N. Sawyer Ave.
– Lincoln Square Animal Hospital, 4501 N. Lincoln Ave.
– 49th Ward Office, 1447 W. Morse Ave.
– 39th Ward Office, 4200 W Lawrence Ave.
– Forest Glen Animal Hospital, 5330 N. Elston Ave.
– Mr. V’s Pizza, 5285 N. Elston Ave.
– Habitat for Humanity, 6057 S. Western Ave.
– 46th Ward Office, 4544 N. Broadway.
– Chicago Waldorf School, 5200 N. Ashland Ave.
– 30th Ward Office, 5418 W. Belmont Ave.
– State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, 4349 N. Milwaukee Ave.
– 19th Ward Office, 10400 S. Western Ave.
– The Unwaste Shop, 1915 W. 103rd St.
– Habitat for Humanity ReStore Chicago, 6040 N. Pulaski Road.
– 1st Ward Office, 1958 N. Milwaukee Ave.
– Katherine Anne Confections – Logan Square, 2745 W. Armitage Ave.
– The WasteShed, 1754 N. Kimball Ave.
– Harriet Tubman Elementary School, 2851 N. Seminary Ave.
– 40th Ward Office, 5620 N. Western Ave.
– 50th Ward Office, 2949 W. Devon Ave.
– 48th Ward Office, 1129 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
For more details on recycling programs and drop-off locations, visit the official websites of the city of Chicago and Reduce Waste Chicago. Don’t miss this crucial opportunity to recycle and contribute to a greener city!
