Where to recycle your Christmas trees in McHenry

The McHenry County Department of Health encourages everyone to recycle their natural Christmas trees after the holiday season. Many municipal solid waste haulers provide curbside collection of Christmas trees. However, if your licensed municipal solid waste hauler does not offer curbside collection of Christmas trees, there are several area locations that will recycle your tree into mulch at no cost to you.

For McHenry County residents, McHenry County Conservation District has drop-off sites through Jan. 15 at Glacial Park, off Harts Road in Ringwood, and Rush Creek, at Twin Oaks parking area, west of the pond, in Harvard.

For Algonquin Township residents, the drop-off is open 24 hours a day through Jan. 31 at the Algonquin Township Road District, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake. For details, call (847) 639-2700, ext. 6.

For Dorr Township residents, the drop-off is open 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays through Jan. 31 at the Dorr Township Road District, 12322 Davis Road, Woodstock. For details, call 815-338-1060

For Nunda Township residents, the drop-off is open 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays at the Nunda Township Road District, 3518 Bay Road, Crystal Lake. For details, call (815) 459-4410.

Mulch used in landscaping provides multiple environmental benefits such as conserving moisture, improving soil structure, reducing weeds and soil erosion, and provides a source of plant nutrients. Christmas trees dropped off for recycling must have all decorations removed. Artificial trees will not be accepted. For information, call Kristy Hecke, MCDH's solid waste manager, at (815) 334-4585.