The Village of Glenview

Recycle holiday lights and Christmas trees


Holiday lights recycling

Dispose of unwanted holiday lights the environmentally responsible way.

Residents can drop off holiday lights for recycling at the Public Works Department, at the corner of East Lake Avenue and Shermer Road  ​through Jan. 31, 2023​. A receptacle is outside the center for collection marked with a sign.

Acceptable items for recycling include: mini-lights or Italian lights; C7 lights, C9 lights, rope lights, LED lights and extension cords. All colors and lengths of lights will be accepted.

Items that will not be acceptable for recycling include: garlands, live greens, wreaths or other non-recyclable materials.

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County and the Village of Glenview have partnered with Elgin Recycling Inc. to take the lights and cords. The strands are separated, baled and sent to be chopped or shredded and sold as a commodity to foundries and mills in the United States.

Call the Public Works Department at (847) 657-3030 with questions.​​


Give Your Tree a Green Goodbye

You don’t have to throw your live Christmas tree in the trash. The tree is biodegradable, which means it can be easily reused or recycled for mulch. Trees can be dropped off until Jan. 31 at these designated collection points:  

• Glenview Public Works, 2498 East Lake Avenue  

• Johns Park, 2101 Central Road  

• Flick Park, 3600 Glenview Road  

• Cunliff Park, 540 Echo Lane  

• Cole Park, 1031 Kenilworth Avenue  

• Willow Park, 2600 Greenwood Avenue  

• Gallery Park, 2001 Patriot Boulevard  ​

Alternatively, residents in single-family homes or multifamily properties that have opted into the Village’s refuse and recycling program can put trees, wreaths and garlands out with the regular garbage during the month of January. Groot will collect them at no additional charge. All ornaments, lights and tinsel should be removed from trees. Do NOT cover the tree with a plastic disposal bag. Multifamily dwellings that are not part of the Village’s waste contract should refer to their management companies for the appropriate method of disposal. And remember, holiday lights can also be recycled! Drop them off in the marked receptacle outside the Public Works Service Center through Feb. 28.