CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Another Christmas has come and gone, but many people are still enjoying their decorations and lights. There are some folks however, starting to clean up ornaments, stockings, and the Christmas tree. 

• Mecklenburg County is offering a Christmas tree recycling program
• Trees must be free of decorations, ornaments, and lights
• The trees will be turned into mulch and sold to the public

In Mecklenburg County, you can put your tree to good use through the tree recycling program. 

Before you take your tree out to the curb, you must clean off all the ornaments and lights. Waste Services will then collect it and take it to the compost and recycling center. From there, the trees will be turned into mulch and compost and sold to the public. 

Jake Wilson, environmental supervisor at the center, says he's seen more people recycling trees in recent years. 

"I think they're becoming more socially responsible, and that's a good thing," Wilson says. "Again, using craft, paper bags over plastic bags, recycling more, recycling cleaner. I think people are becoming more aware of their environment." 

You can start putting your trees out by the curb now, and they will be collected on your normal pick-up day. You can also drop it off at Compost Central or any of the other full service recycling centers.