:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/E2ESERHUZDTNR6SI2K22CHJU2E.jpg)
WOODSTOCK – Options are available for those who want to go green with their Christmas trees and holiday lights after the festivities subside and families return to daily activities.
Christmas trees and holiday lights may be recycled at a number of locations, according to the McHenry County Health Department. The key when recycling a Christmas tree is that it needs to be in its original condition. Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, garland, the tree stand and do not put it in a plastic bag. If using a plastic bag to remove the tree from a house, remove the plastic bag once the tree is outside. Most municipal solid waste haulers pick up Christmas trees in December and January. Check with your waste hauler for specifics on dates and requirements, some of these trees may be recycled and some may be destined for landfills.
Christmas lights and other stringed lights may be recycled, too. Many locations will take “Christmas”-type lights year round.
Algonquin Township: (https://algtwsp.com/events/christmas-tree-recycling)
It will accept Christmas trees from township residents from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 26 to Jan. 10 at 3702 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake. Christmas trees may be dropped off next to the mulch pile on the lefthand side. Offices will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Recycling will not be available during those dates.
Dorr Township: (815-338-1060 for additional information)
It will accept Christmas trees from township residents from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. after Dec. 26 at 12322 Davis Road, Woodstock.
Grafton Township: (847-669-5070, Road District)
Grafton Township will take Christmas trees for recycling. Drop trees off on the south side of the parking lot by the woodpile. Lights and trees will be accepted until Jan. 10.
Huntley Park District: (847-669-3180 for additional information)
Participate in the Christmas tree recycling program by dropping off trees at the Sun Valley Farm on the corner of Lois Lane and Main Street by the entrance to Stingray Bay.
McHenry County Conservation District: (815-338-6223, www.mccdistrict.org)
Christmas tree recycling is slated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15 at Glacial Park’s Hart Road parking lot and Rush Creek-Twin Oak parking area, west of the pond.
City of Woodstock: (815-338-6118, Public Works for additional information)
The Department of Public Works will collect and mulch Christmas trees from Jan. 6 through Jan. 17. Residents must have their Christmas tree in the parkway by 7 a.m. on their regularly scheduled garbage day to have them collected.
Algonquin Township: Accepts Christmas lights for recycling throughout the year from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays at 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, as well as during specialized recycling events. Township offices will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. No recycling will be available then.
Village of Cary: Cary has bins for recycling Christmas lights located at:
1. Village Hall, 655 Village Hall Drive
2. Cary Fire Protection District Station 1, 400 Cary-Algonquin Road
3. Cary Fire Protection District Station 2, 2015 Crystal Lake Road
4. Kraus Senior Center, 441 W. Main Street
City of Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake will offer holiday light recycling from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning on Dec. 2 at City Hall, located at 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake.
Elgin Recycling: Elgin Recycling accepts Christmas lights all year. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 5114 Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.
Village of Lakewood: The village will offer recycling of holiday lights and extension cords through Jan. 31. A receptacle is available at the Village Hall, 2500 Lake Ave., Lakewood. The building is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Acceptable items are mini-lights, C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords.
Prairieland Disposal and Recycling: The drop-off location is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 21N988 Pepper Road in Lake Barrington.
Village of Richmond: The village accepts Christmas lights for recycling all year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Village Hall, 5600 Hunter Drive, Richmond, except holidays when the office is closed. A toter is in the front vestibule.
Village of Spring Grove: The village offers Christmas light recycling all year round from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Municipal Centre, 7401 Meyer Road, Spring Grove.
Ziegler’s Ace Hardware Stores: All nine locations collect Christmas lights to be recycled. The money received for collecting and recycling Christmas lights is donated to Children’s Miracle Network-Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children Hospital of Chicago. Locations are in Cary, Crystal Lake, Huntley and Lake in the Hills.
Log onto www.mcdh.info and click on "Environmental Health, Solid Wastes" for further information.