As the holiday season winds down, St. Louis residents are being encouraged to start the New Year on a green note by recycling their Christmas trees, which can serve a new purpose as mulch or as habitats for fish. According to Spectrum Local News, St. Louis County Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) are offering natural-cut tree recycling until Jan. 19. However, it's imperative that all trees must be undecorated and free of tinsel, ornaments, and lights to be eligible for the program.
In a statement obtained by KSDK, the MDC highlighted the ecological benefits of recycling Christmas trees, noting their use as fish habitats or as organic matter when mulched. Dropping off times and locations across St. Louis County have been extensively outlined to provide convenience for residents wanting to participate in the regifting to nature. The city of St. Louis is also offering its own recycling spots until Jan. 9 for city residents.
Amid the holiday's wrap-up, eager residents are already bringing their trees to the designated spots. "This is great for the city; it’s a great way to make sure we aren’t putting it in the refuge or putting the green recycling. It’s a great thing when the city does this," Zane Cagle told FOX 2 while at Forest Park. Others like John Arnold echoed the sentiment, citing the ease of the recycling process, "It’s so nice because you don’t have to worry about cutting it up or trying to get rid of it. It’s nice just coming here, putting it on the roof, and just dumping it off. It’s nice and very convenient too."
For items other than trees, St. Louis offers various spots for recycling holiday items such as light strands, which notoriously can break equipment at waste facilities if discarded improperly. Locations hosting these recyclables include Lowe’s, Spectrum E-cycle, and Cortex Innovation District. According to FOX 2, items such as electrical power strips, extension cords, clean cardboard boxes, and wrapping paper, without the bows, are acceptable. Facilities like Earthbound Recycling, Scrap Mart, and Wellston Scrap and Metal will even pay for lights per pound, ensuring that residents have a chance to clear out the old and help conserve for the future.
