By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - It's the time of year when you travel down city streets and see random evergreen trees strewn along the curb as families have taken the decorations off their Christmas tree and thrown it outside.
The Department of Environmental Quality would like to remind Michigan residents that alternatives are available for recycling rather than throwing away Christmas Trees.
Used Christmas trees can be chipped into mulch, composted, used to prevent soil erosion or used to create wildlife habitat.
Many communities around Michigan offer Christmas tree recycling.
Coulston said trees must be placed at the roadside by no later than Monday evening, Jan. 2
All trees must be completely stripped of all ornaments, lights, tree stands, etc. and should not be left in plastic bags or they will not be picked up. This collection is for Christmas trees only.
Area residents outside of the city can also check to see if pick-up or drop-off programs are available in their area by going to the DEQ web site at www.michigan.gov/deqrecycling to find a local recycling contact.
According to the DEQ Michigan law does not prohibit Christmas trees from being disposed of in landfills or incinerated. However, Michigan residents are encouraged to seek out alternatives before the landfill disposal option is considered.
This promotes the wise use of environmental resources and extends the life of landfills throughout the state of Michigan.