A really green Christmas tree: recycle your tree
December 27, 2008
St. Charles County
Once the gifts are opened and the relatives head home, please remember to recycle your live Christmas tree. Once again this year, St. Charles County is joining with its community partners to offer this free service.
Your tree will benefit our environment by being turned into mulch or used for fish habitat. Be sure to remove the tree stand, decorations and plastic bag or tree cover before leaving your Christmas tree at one of the following locations:
St. Peters
Laurel Park (upper parking lot), off McClay Road
St. Peters Golf and Recreation Center, 200 Salt Lick Road
St. Peters Earth Centre, 115 Ecology Drive
Open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday until Jan. 19
Wentzville
Quail Ridge Park (group picnic area), 5501 Quail Ridge Parkway
Open 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week, until Jan. 22
Progress Park, 968 Meyer Road
Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, until Jan. 20
O’Fallon
Civic Park (upper parking lot), 400 Civic Park Drive
O’Fallon Sports Park (phase 1), 3589 Highway K
Open dawn to dusk, seven days a week, until Jan. 19
Lake Saint Louis
Boulevard Park, 2550 Lake Saint Louis Boulevard
Open dawn to dusk, seven days a week, until Jan. 21
You can also “recycle” your used Christmas tree at your own home by placing it in your backyard for use as a bird feeder and sanctuary. Fresh orange slices or strung popcorn will attract the birds, and they can sit in the branches for shelter. Make sure you remove all decorations, hooks, lights, garland and tinsel strands before placing it in your yard.
For an even more eco-friendly option, consider purchasing a rooted (ball and burlapped or containerized) Christmas tree next year. When the holidays are over, you can plant the tree in your yard.
Your Christmas tree isn’t the only holiday recyclable in your house. Non-foil gift boxes and wrapping paper can be recycled at Recycle Works West, 2110 E. Pitman Avenue in Wentzville, Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or at Recycle Works Central, 60 Triad South Drive in St. Charles, Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about St. Charles County recycling programs, call 636-949-7415 or visit www.scchealth.org.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town