By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

It is time to begin taking down Christmas decorations, and in the coming weeks there will be several locations available throughout Clermont County to recycling fresh cut Christmas trees.

Hannah Gonzalez, project manager for Adams Clermont Solid Waste District, said recycling Christmas trees can reuse a resource and save space in landfills.

“They have many valuable nutrients that can help other things grow,” Gonzalez said about trees.

Gonzalez said the most popular way to reuse Christmas trees is to chip the tree and use it as mulch. She said many of the recycling locations will do this.

“They can also be used for fish habitat,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said several locations in Clermont County are offering tree recycling this year including Amelia, Miami Township, Milford, Pierce Township, Union Township, and more.

Amelia public service department will be picking up trees Dec. 26-Jan. 2. Trees can be placed by the curb.

Clermont County Park District will have a Christmas tree recycling location at Pattison Park near the lake. The park district will be collecting trees from Dec. 26-Jan. 13.

Loveland residents can call (513) 683-0150 for curbside pickup Jan. 2-15.

Miami Township will collect trees for recycling at Miami Meadows Park and Paxton Ramsey Park from Dec. 26-Jan. 31.

Milford will be collecting trees on Wednesdays after Jan. 1. The trees must be placed by the curb.

Stonelick Township residents can drop their trees off at the Clermont County Fairgrounds Dec. 26-Jan. 10. The trees will be collected near the horse barns.

Union Township will have a drop off location available at the Union Township Service Garage, 4312 Glen Este-Withamsville Rd., Jan. 1-31.

All decorations must be removed from the trees in order for them to be recycled.

Gonzalez said because artificial trees don’t decompose, the most environmentally-friendly way for residents to dispose of their artificial tree is to try to donate it so it can be reused.

“For artificial trees, you can take them to Goodwill or other donation centers,” Gonzalez said.

For more information about Christmas tree recycling, visit www.oeq.net.