NORFOLK, Neb. -- The 36th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program begins this week in Norfolk.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to bring their live Christmas trees to the northwest corner of the parking lot at the Norfolk Fire Division Training Center, located at 302 East Benjamin Ave.

"We ask that they don't have any tree stands, or ornaments, or nails and we do not want trees that have been flocked or sprayed with artificial snow," Chris Hassler said, Code Compliance Official.  

Once collected, the trees will be chipped into mulch and used in city parks and roadways; something Hassler says is great for the environment.

"Well, it's good for the environment," Hassler said. "It helps the city with taking dead plants or dead trees and getting them ground up and being able to recycle them and use them into our parks. It's a great thing for the environment."

This program is made possible by Keep Norfolk Beautiful, the Nebraska Public Power District, and the City of Norfolk Fire Division.

The program will run from Dec. 26, 2024, through Jan. 11, 2025.