GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Pandemic or not, people generate a lot more trash around the holiday season.
3News talked to the experts at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District about some simple steps you can take to be a little "greener" around the holidays.
Education specialist Carin Miller tells us there are a couple of ways you can recycle your live Christmas tree.
If your city offers curbside recycling for trees, you’ll want to start by making sure you take off all the decorations.
“Take all of the ornaments off of it. If you use tinsel, make sure that all of that stuff is off of it,” says Miller.
“Most cities have a curbside recycling program so check with your local community and find out what the rules are. You can put it at the curb and they will take it and it will get shredded up, mulched and composted.”
Miller says another option is to put the tree in your backyard.
“I like to tell people it's a great thing to keep at home. Put it in your backyard and let the wildlife use it so it's another place for birds and other wildlife to kind of take cover in the winter.”
You can also add some edible 'ornaments' with items found in most pantries.
"I know a lot of people like to put some edible ornaments out there for the wildlife. Put some peanut butter on a pine cone, or string some popcorn out there and let the wildlife enjoy your Christmas tree," says Miller.
If left in your yard, the tree will eventually decompose naturally.
You can also run it through a wood a chipper to make mulch.
For more information on recycling, visit the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District website.