How Chicagoans Can Recycle Their Christmas Trees and Holiday Lights

Chicago Holiday Tree Recycling Locations

Starting Jan. 11, Chicago residents can drop off real trees at one of 27 parks throughout the city.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation and the Chicago Park District first launched the city’s Christmas tree recycling program in 1990.

All trees must be free of ornaments, tinsel, lights or flocking. Plastic bags used for transport must also be removed before placing trees in the stalls.

• Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.
• Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1301 N Humboldt Dr.
• Lincoln Park, East Side of Cannon Drive at Fullerton Avenue
• West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton Ave.
• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L
• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.
• Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.
• Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine Dr.
• North Park Village, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.
• Forestry Site, 900 E. 103rd St.
• Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.
• Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Norwood Park, 5800 N. Avondale Ave.
• Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave.
• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
• Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Mahalia Jackson Park, 8385 S. Birkhoff Ave.
• McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.
• Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave.
• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.
• Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.
• Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St.
• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.
• Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.
• Hiawatha Park, 8029 W. Forest Preserve Dr.

Chicago Holiday Lights Disposal Locations (from north to south)

Holiday lights will be collected from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31 at all the following locations.

• Edgebrook Ace Hardware: 5423 W. Devon Ave. (773-775-7205)
• 50th Ward Office: 2949 W. Devon Ave. (773-262-1050)
• 6018North: 6018 N. Kemore Ave. (773-271-4918)
• American Airlines, O’Hare Airport*
• 40th Ward Office: 5620 N. Western Ave. (773-654-1867)
• 48th Ward Office: 1129 W Bryn Mawr (773-784-5277)
• Forest Glen Animal Hospital: 5330 N. Elston Ave. (773-283-2443)
• Forest Glen Community Club*
• Mr V’s Pizza: 5285 N. Elston Ave. (773-736-9434)
• The Lost Hours Coffee Shop: 5256 N. Broadway St. (NA)
• Chicago Waldorf School: 5200 N. Ashland Ave. (773-465-2662) After Jan. 6
• A Pretty Flower: 2334 W. Lawrence Ave. (773-506-0806)
• IL House District 15 Office: 4200 W. Lawrence Ave. (773-736-0218)
• Khepri Cafe: 4650 N. Kedzie Ave. (872-208-7919)
• Lincoln Square Animal Hospital: 4501 N. Lincoln Ave. (773-271-1901)
• IL House District 19 Office: 4349 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773-647-1174)
• 47th Ward Office: 4243 N. Lincoln Ave. (773-868-4747)
• Northcenter Chamber of Commerce: 4045 N. Lincoln Ave. (773-525-3609)
• UPS Store: 4044 N. Lincoln Ave. (773-871-1400)
• Erwin Law LLC: 4043 N. Ravenswood, Suite 208 (773-525-0153)
• IL House District 40 Office: 4007 N. Sacramento Ave. (773-267-2880)
• Katherine Anne Confections: 3665 W. Irving Park Rd. (773-727-3248)
• Bartleby’s Ice Cream: 1943 W. Byron Ave. (773-770-9019)
• Henry’s House: 3655 N. Bell Ave. (773-344-1976)
• 30th Ward Office: 5718 W. Belmont Ave. (773-628-7874)
• 32nd Ward Office: 2657 N. Clybourn Ave. (773-248-1330)
• Rebuilding Exchange: 1740 W. Webster Ave. (773-252-2234)
• Katherine Anne Confections: 2745 W. Armitage Ave. (773-727-3248)
• 1st Ward Office: 1958 N. Milwaukee Ave. (872-206-2685)
• The WasteShed: 1754 N. Kimball Ave. (773-666-5997)
• The Refilleri: 1007 N. California Ave. (312-783-0684)
• The Unwaste Shop: 1108 W. Madison St. (312-804-9730)
• Trash Castle: 1048 W. 37th St. (Schedule drop-off on website)
• The Plant: 1400 W. 46th St. (773-357-7192)
• UPS Store: 6102 S. Archer Ave. (312-835-1908)

Outside Chicago Locations

• Rebuilding Exchange: 1245 Hartrey Ave., Evanston (847-864-9246)
• Whittier Elementary PTO: 715 North Harvey, Oak Park (during school hours)

Conclusion

By recycling your Christmas tree and holiday lights, you can help reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Remember to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and flocking from your tree before dropping it off at a designated location.

FAQs

Q: What types of trees can be recycled?

A: Only real trees can be recycled. Artificial trees should be disposed of through regular trash collection.

Q: What should I do with my tree stand?

A: Remove the tree stand and any other debris from the tree before dropping it off at a recycling location.

Q: Can I recycle my lights at any time?

A: No, holiday lights can only be recycled from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31. Check with your local recycling location for specific drop-off dates and times.