With the holiday season coming to a close, Park Forest residents have only days left to recycle live Christmas trees and holiday lights through the Village’s annual Holiday Light and Tree Recycling program.

The initiative, led by the Park Forest Sustainability Office and Environment Commission, is designed to make it easy for residents to keep seasonal waste out of landfills while supporting the Village’s long-term environmental goals.

Residents can drop off unwanted string lights, extension cords, and other holiday lighting through Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Village Hall lobby or the Park Forest Public Library entrance. Live Christmas trees are also being accepted through Jan. 17 and should be dropped off at the Aqua Center parking lot. Organizers remind residents that trees must be free of all decorations, including lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands, before they are recycled.

“Sustainability doesn’t stop after the holidays,” said Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo. “There’s still time to participate, and we encourage residents to use our convenient drop-off locations to help reduce waste and give these materials a second life.”

Recycled holiday lights are processed to recover valuable materials such as copper and plastic, while live Christmas trees are chipped and repurposed into mulch or compost. That material is used in parks and green spaces throughout the Village. Residents may also pick up mulch or compost from the Recreation and Parks Municipal Garage, located at 75 Park St.

Malfeo said that small actions—such as recycling holiday items—can have a meaningful impact when the community works together.

“Each strand of lights and every tree recycled helps keep materials out of landfills and supports a cleaner, greener Park Forest,” she said. “With the deadline approaching, now is the time to act.”

After Saturday, Jan. 17, holiday lights and Christmas trees will no longer be accepted as part of the program.