Mahoning and Shenango valleys offer Christmas tree recycling

Area residents have several ways to recycle their natural Christmas trees this season through local government programs and private efforts.

In Mahoning County, officials are collecting trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31. People can drop off trees at various locations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Workers will use the trees to create natural fish habitats in area lakes.

Participants must remove all decorations, including lights, tinsel, and stands. Residents in most areas must bring trees to specific drop-off sites listed below. In Struthers, workers will pick up trees at the curb.

For those in the Shenango Valley, Aiken Refuse will provide curbside pickup for Hermitage residents during the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12. Residents should place their trees at the curb the night before their normal trash day. Trees taller than 6 feet or wider than 4 feet must be cut into smaller pieces.

A local business, Express Junk Removal, is also offering free pickup for residents in Mahoning and Trumbull counties on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9. This program requires people to register online in advance at expressjunkremoval.com. Trees must be bare and placed at the curb the night before the scheduled pickup.

The company reported it kept more than 300 trees out of landfills last year. Like the county program, these trees are often used for environmental projects and fish habitats.