KENTUCKY — Christmastime has come and gone, which means it's about time to start taking down and packing up your yuletide decorations. While artificial trees can be reused or donated, natural trees have to be disposed of each year — but there are ways to recycle them!
We've got a handful of post-holiday tips for reusing or recycling your Christmas trees and lights if you're not looking to keep them around until next year.
Recycling Christmas lights
Packing up strand after strand of lights can be one of the most tedious post-Christmas tasks. Any unwanted lights can be recycled, but it's important to do so safely.
Hardware stores like Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware offer drop-off locations during the holiday season, but you'll have to check with your local store to ensure they're taking donations.
Holiday lights and other electronics can also be dropped off at local recycling and waste management facilities. Fayette County's facility accepts electronic waste Monday through Saturday, but times will vary county by county.
Donating artificial trees
Artificial trees can last several years with proper care, but they don't last forever — and sometimes you just want something new. The good news? Fake trees can find a new life in new hands.
Thrift stores are always accepting donated trees. Local charities and nursing homes are also good places to give your old tree a longer life.
No matter where you donate the tree, it's best to make sure it's in good shape. When donating pre-lit trees, make sure the lights are functioning properly.
Recycling natural trees
Natural Christmas trees don't have to be picked up on trash day and tossed in a landfill. In Kentucky, they can be reincarnated as fish habitats by the Department of Fishing and Wildlife Resources.
DFW will take your tree and create fish attractors for lakes all over the Commonwealth. The brush reefs provide nesting and rearing habitat for gamefish as well as creating homes for invertebrates and smaller fishes that provide food for larger fish.
Be sure to clear your tree of all decorations, tinsel, ornaments and all. Drop-off sites are open from Dec. 26 through Jan. 15.