Now that the holidays have wrapped up, it’s time to take down the Christmas tree and store seasonal decorations. Instead of tossing your tree in the trash this year, consider participating in local recycling efforts. Many towns have programs that accept Christmas trees to turn them into mulch, wood chips, and compost for community improvement. For example, beach communities often collect Christmas trees to help maintain and rebuild the sand dunes.

To learn about recycling programs in your neighborhood, visit earth911.org.

Find more tips for storing your holiday decorations.