'Tis the season no more: How to properly throw out Christmas trees, wreaths

Gifts have been opened, feasts have been had and now it is time to take down the Christmas trees and wreaths.

The City of Springfield Office of Public Works announced Thursday it will pick up natural fir and evergreen Christmas trees and wreaths within the corporate city limits before 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. City crews will pass through neighborhoods one time beginning Jan. 9 and continue until all trees and wreaths are collected.

Trees must be placed curbside for pick-up, not impeding traffic flow, and cannot have any decorations, nails or screws or wooden tree stands. Wreaths with wire will not be accepted either.

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Items should be not placed in utility holes, bike lanes, meter pits, sidewalks, inlets, boulevards and drains.

Neither Waste Management and Republic Services will pick up or dispose of real Christmas trees. After the city ends its collection, Lake Area Disposal and Recycling customers can have their trees removed at a fee if they contact the company directly.

When will Springfield pick up yard waste in 2024?

The city also announced yard waste dates for 2024. Residences north of South Grand Avenue and Old Jacksonville Road and properties west of Veterans Parkway, north of Iles Avenue, will have their yard waste collected on the first and third weeks of each month. Those south of South Grand and Old Jacksonville, including lakeside homes, will be the alternative weeks.

Yard waste must be curbside by Monday at 6 a.m. of pick-up weeks and be placed in paper bags or hard plastic containers that say "yard waste" or "YW." No plastic bags, food, rocks or large branches will be collected.

Those with questions are told contact the city’s Office of Public Works at 217-789-2255.

Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield announces yard waste collection dates for new year