Time to Recycle Those Christmas Trees

It's time to say good-bye to your holiday greenery. But what do you do with those trees, ornaments and wreaths?

Here's what Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park have in mind—recycle them.

Oak Park

If you use Waste Management as your hauler, holiday trees will be picked up on regular trash and recycling collection days during the weeks of January 7 and 14. Trees should be placed in the regular collection area next to the refuse cart. No decorations or stands can be included and trees should not be put in plastic bags. Wreaths, unfortunately, will not be accepted.

Residents using any other hauler should contact the company to find out where the trees should be placed.

To recycle holiday lights, drop them off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays in a bin in the lobby of the Public Works building located at South Boulevard and Lombard Avenue.

For more information, call 708-358-5700.

River Forest

Roy Strom, the village's contractor for waste hauling, will collect trees, wreaths and other holiday greenery on the following days in January:

• Tuesday, Jan. 8;
• Tuesday, Jan. 15;
• Tuesday, Jan. 22;
• Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Simply put your holiday greens at the curb on these days and Strom will collect them. Only natural items will be collected (sorry folks, faux trees not accepted) and items must not have any lighting or ornaments attached.

Call 708-366-8500 for more information.

Forest Park

Residents can put their trees in the parkway and public works crews will shred them. No ornaments please.

Call 708-366-2323 for more information.