Don't forget to recycle your Christmas tree

For your tree to be recycled into mulch this year in the 29th annual Washakie County Conservation District Christmas tree recycling event, you’ll need to have it out no later than 8 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 6.

Worland residents who live within the city limits need only to leave their trees – undecorated and unbagged – in the alley behind their house, near the dumpster.

If you live outside of city limits, or an alley isn’t available to you, you can call 307-347-2456 ext. 121 to arrange a pickup.

Ten Sleep residents who would like to dispose of their trees using the program should leave their tree at the transfer station on or before Jan. 6.

Janet Hofmann of the Washakie County Conservation District said that the program started 29 years ago as an effort to reduce landfill waste generated during the holiday season. By collecting Christmas trees that would otherwise be taken to the landfill, volunteers are making something useful with them instead.

On the morning of Jan. 6, volunteers will meet at the Washakie County Extension office in Worland for breakfast and to be assigned a collection route.

Volunteers typically represent the FFA and the Worland Rotary Club, but anyone may volunteer.

Once breakfast is done, volunteers will then pick up trees and take them to a lot provided by the city to begin the mulching process, assisted by Big Horn Rural Electric Association.

The mulch produced from the program is available for free to the public.

To learn more about volunteering, how to get your free mulch, or how to recycle your tree, contact the Washakie County Conservation District at 307-347-2456 ext. 101.