## Give Your Old Christmas Tree a New Life: Goat Snacks and City Recycling
Have you been wondering what to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays? The Urban Growers Collective offers a unique solution: donate it to their herd of goats! Until January 11th, residents can drop off their undecorated trees at South Chicago Farm (9001 S. Mackinaw Ave.) between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. These 15 Nigerian pygmy goats eagerly consume pine trees, which provide them with vitamins A and C and aid in digestive health. However, it’s crucial to remove all decorations, including hooks and tinsel, as these are harmful to the goats. Furthermore, ensure your tree hasn’t been treated with fire retardants.
If you’re unable to donate to the goats, the city’s annual Christmas tree recycling program runs from January 11th to 25th. Twenty-seven convenient locations across the city will accept trees during regular park hours. Remember to remove all decorations and bases before dropping off your tree, as they will be ground into mulch for use in parks and forests. Garlands and wire-bound wreaths are also not accepted in this program.
Beyond Christmas trees, Chicago residents also have options for responsibly disposing of broken holiday lights. Reduce Waste Chicago’s fourth annual holiday lights collection program, running until January 31st, offers over 30 drop-off locations. Before recycling, residents are encouraged to attempt simple repairs such as replacing bulbs or fuses. Lights should be separated from other decorations and kept free of packaging. A complete list of drop-off locations is available on the Reduce Waste Chicago website.
For a list of the city’s Christmas tree recycling sites, please visit [insert link to city website here].