Recycling holiday lights, trees in McHenry County

McHENRY COUNTY — The McHenry County Department of Health is encouraging residents to recycle their live Christmas trees and old nonfunctioning holiday lights once they are ready to bring their holiday celebration to an end.

Holiday lights are not accepted in curbside recycling bins. The best way to dispose of holiday light strands, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords is to recycle them properly. Year-round holiday lights recycling is offered by Elgin Recycling in Crystal Lake, and at all MCDH electronic recycling events in 2023.

Other known locations that accept holiday lights for recycling include:

• Algonquin Township
• City of Crystal Lake
• Village of Algonquin
• Village of Cary
• Village of Island Lake
• Village of Lakewood
• Village of Richmond
• Village of Spring Grove

Additional municipalities not listed may accept holiday lights and extensions cords. Please check their website or call them directly for directions and availability.

Christmas tree recycling

Most Christmas trees are landfilled, but they can be recycled or repurposed. In McHenry County, there are a few locations where Christmas trees can be dropped off to be recycled at no cost. Christmas trees dropped off for recycling must have all decorations removed.  Artificial trees are not accepted, but artificial trees in good condition can be donated locally.

Recycled Christmas trees are chipped/mulched, which can then be used in parks, on trails or available as free mulch to the community. Mulching is a responsible use of our natural resources.  It can be used in landscaping to conserve moisture, reduce weeds and reduce soil erosion.

Waste haulers provide pick up of Christmas trees in December and January as part of their contracts with local municipalities or county government. Depending on the location and the company, some of the trees may be recycled while others will be landfilled. Please get in touch with your local waste hauler for specifics on dates and pick up requirements.

The following locations accept Christmas trees for recycling:

• Algonquin Township – 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2700
  The Algonquin Township will have Christmas tree recycling available from Dec. 27 through Jan.  31.
• Dorr Township – 12322 Davis Road, Woodstock (815) 338-1060
  The Dorr Township Highway Department will accept Christmas trees for recycling from Dec.  27 to Jan. 31. The drop-off site will be available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
• Huntley Park District – Call (847) 669-3180 for additional information.
  The Huntley Park District will have Christmas tree recycling available from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 at Sun Valley Farm at Betsey Warrington Park, 12201 West Main St.

Information and locations for recycling holiday lights and Christmas trees can be found at bit.ly/MCDHsolidwaste.