Extend the Life of Your Christmas Tree by Recycling It

Instead of tossing your tree into a landfill, extend its life and recycle it nearby.

When recycling, be sure to remove all garland, tinsel, lights, wire and everything else. Here are a few options for recycling your tree:

Oakland Township: The township will be collecting used Christmas trees for a habitat restoration project. Trees may be dropped off now through Jan. 15 in the parking lot next to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office . Be sure to remove all tinsel.

Clinton River Watershed Council: The city of Rochester Hills is allowing its residents to drop off Christmas trees at the Clinton River Watershed Council, located at 1115 W. Avon Rd. Volunteers on-site will inspect the trees to ensure that all wires and decorations have been removed. Times to drop off trees are: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 7; noon-4 p.m. Jan.1 and Jan. 8.

Allied Waste Services: Trees will be picked up curbside by Allied Waste Services, which is contracted by the city of Rochester Hills. Allied Waste Services will deliver the trees to a compost site instead of a disposal facility or landfill. The company will only pick up trees that are 6 feet or shorter. If your Christmas tree is taller, cut it in half prior to putting it at the curbside. Christmas trees will be collected through mid-January.

Orion Oaks Park: Oakland County Parks & Recreation is offering free Christmas tree recycling starting today at 11 parks. Orion Oaks Park, 2301 W. Clarkston Rd., is one of the parks where people can drop off their trees for free from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 27. The parks will then process the trees to make wood chips and compost, both of which will be available to the public for free beginning Jan. 30. If interested in the compost or wood chips, call 248-858-0906.

Other participating county parks include Independence Oaks and Addison Oaks.