EAST PEORIA, Ill. — After the all the presents are opened and Christmas time is over, the next step is getting rid of your live Christmas tree.
Jill Peterson, Public Relations Coordinator for the City of East Peoria, said there are two ways to dispose of the trees.
“You can send it to the landfill, or you can recycle it,” Peterson said.
Live Christmas trees can be picked up with a resident’s regular garbage in East Peoria, if certain requirements are met.
“You need to have the tree cut up and it has to be placed inside your garbage toter. All lights, tinsel, and decorations have to be removed,” Peterson said. “And, trees should not be placed in any type of bag.”
East Peoria Public Works crews will not pick up any trees that have been placed into bags, or trees not cut up and placed into the toter.
There is still time to admire your decorated tree in January, if you like to keep it up for some time after the holidays.
“We will pick up Christmas trees through January 31,” Peterson said.
If you choose to recycle the tree, the Tazewell County Health Department will accept live trees December 26 through January 11 at the Illinois Central College East Campus by the truck driver training area.
Sara Sparkman, Communications Manager for the Tazewell County Health Department said there are several other locations throughout Tazewell County to recycle trees.
They also ask for tinsel, lights, and ornaments to be removed from the tree before dropping it off.
“A lot of people use a bag to remove the tree from their house. We do ask that you do take the bag off as well before you leave your tree to be recycled.”
The trees that are dropped off will be turned into mulch and used throughout the region, according to Sparkman.
The locations for recycling trees include:
-Armington, 102 N. Main St, across from Village Hall
-Creve Coeur, 101 N. Thorncrest Ave, Village Hall
-East Peoria, ICC East Campus, near truck driver’s area
-Hopedale, Behind Village Hall
-Mackinaw, 605 S. Orchard St, behind recycle bins
-Minier, Near recycle bin at Park & Pennsylvania
-Morton, Freedom Hall (349 W. Birchwood St)
-Tremont, Leaf pile, adjacent to City Park
-Washington, 815 Lincoln St, near maintenance
-Pekin Residents Only, City will pick up trees curbside the
first two weeks of January
