Recycle Christmas trees from Jan. 1 through Jan. 15

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful will open sites in Belvidere, Cherry Valley, and Loves Park where natural Christmas trees can be chipped and recycled into mulch from Sunday, Jan. 1 through Sunday, Jan. 15.

Recycling trees, a renewable resource, conserves valuable landfill space and returns vital nutrients to the earth while beautifying landscapes.

Before dropping off a tree in the designated area, remove the stand, any ornaments, lights, or wraps. Garlands and wreaths made with wire cannot be accepted as they will damage the chipper. No flocked trees accepted.

This service, organized and promoted by Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, is sponsored by donations from Winnebago County; the City of Rockford; the City of Loves Park; the Villages of Cherry Valley, Machesney Park, Rockton and Roscoe; Harlem Township; Lincoln Rental-All; Trans Environmental; and Williams Tree Farm.

In-kind sponsors include: 23WIFR Gray Television, Inc.; Mid-West Family Broadcasting; The Rock River Times; Rockford Park District; Valley View Farms, and Winnebago County Forest Preserve.

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful calculates more than 750,000 trees have been recycled here since 1988.

For a map and other information about Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, visit knib.org or call (815) 637-1343.

The Recycle Centers do not accept trees but will accept light strings.

Trees can be dropped off at 515 W. Locust St. at the Belvidere Street Department, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays; at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley, located at 300 S. Walnut St. during the daylight hours; and Martin Park, located at 5600 Park Ridge Road off East Avenue, south of Riverside Boulevard, in Loves Park.