Dear Editor,
The 2019-2020 Christmas Tree Recycling Program recently wrapped up and was successful despite some weather difficulties.  
Even though the winter has been very mild, timely winter storms hampered the local high school FFA collections as the safety of the students took priority. There were approximately 500 trees that were chipped in Ogle County this year, which is about 13 tons of waste diverted from the landfill. Approximately 15,400 trees have been recycled since the beginning of the program in the winter of 1998-99, which is about 386 tons of trees that have been kept out of the landfill.

Drop-offs were located in seven communities, including Byron, Forreston, Leaf River, Monroe Center, Oregon, Polo, and Rochelle. In addition, high school FFA organizations from Byron, Oregon, Polo and Forreston were scheduled to collect trees on Jan. 11 and on Jan. 18.  The weather caused some difficulties each of those days, but the FFA programs adjusted and went out when possible and coordinated with local street departments to ensure trees were collected. The trees were all chipped into usable mulch, which is available at some of the sites for pick-up. Contact the Solid Waste Department at 815-732-4040 if you are interested in the free mulch in your area.
The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department wishes to thank the following groups for their contribution to the Ogle County Christmas Tree Recycling Program: The City of Byron, Byron High School FFA, Lichty’s Landscaping Service, Village of Forreston, Forreston High School FFA, Village of Leaf River, Oregon Park District, Oregon High School FFA, Flagg-Rochelle Park District, City of Rochelle, Polo High School FFA and Morgan’s Tree Service.
Paul Cooney
Ogle County Solid Waste Department