CHENANGO COUNTY – Now that the holiday season is behind us, it's time to put away the decorations, take down the lights, and dispose of your Christmas tree.

According to Chenango County Department of Public Works (DPW) Waste Management Program Assistant Dustin Hendricks, the county DPW is using discarded Christmas trees as a way to give back to their community.

According to waste management program assistant, Dustin Hendricks, the Chenango County department of public works uses the discarded trees as a way to give back to the community.

“We shred them and then hand them out as compost and mulch free of charge to the community,” said Hendricks.