Christmas tree drop-off, recycling under way

Did you know that McHenry County harvests more Christmas trees than any other county in Illinois? They are also recyclable.

McHenry County Department of Health encourages residents to take advantage of residential Christmas tree drop-off recycling programs in the county, at no cost to residents. Dropped-off trees are sent through a wood chipper to create a material suitable for mulching.

Patrick J. McNulty, Public Health Administrator, said, "Mulching is a responsible use of our natural resources. It can be used in landscaping to conserve moisture, reduce weeds and reduce soil erosion." McHenry County Conservation District has one of four recycling programs in the county, the others being Algonquin, Dorr and Nunda Township Road Districts. Recycled Christmas trees must have all decorations removed before drop-off. For information, call Kristy Hecke, MCDH's Solid Waste Manager, at (815) 334-4585.

Open to all county residents: Algonquin Township Road District, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2700, ext. 6: Through Jan 31, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and McHenry County Conservation District, Glacial Park, Ringwood and Rush Creek, Harvard, (815) 338-6223: Through Jan. 17.

Open to Dorr Township residents: Dorr Township Road District, 12322 Davis Road, Woodstock, (815) 338-1060: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays through Jan. 31

Open to Nunda Township residents: Nunda Township Road District, 3518 Bay Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-4410: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of the month, through March.