When the holidays are done, do you know what you will do with your Christmas tree?

Richland and Lexington counties have a suggestion.  Keep it out of the trash and help the environment by recycling it.

The annual "Grinding of the Greens", in which your tree is turned into mulch and returned to you free of charge starts December 26 and runs through January 13.

You can drop off your tree at any of the following locations, beginning the day after Christmas:

City of Columbia Compost Facility -121 Humane Lane, Columbia (Off Shop Road across from SPCA). M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development -900 Clemson Rd

Crooked Creek Park - 1098 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin. (Next to Chapin Middle School). Daily 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM.

Fort Jackson Recycling Center - Building #6568 on Lee Road, Fort Jackson.

(Enter the Fort through Gate 2 on Forest Drive. After Burger King, turn left onto

Lee Road.) M-F, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sat 8:30 - 3:30 PM.

Friarsgate Park - 1712 Chadford Rd., Irmo. M-F 2-9PM,  Sat 9-8 PM, Sun 1-6PM

Hollow Creek Tree Farm - 228 Windmill Road, Gilbert.

Hopkins Park - 150 Hopkins Park Road, Hopkins. M-F 2PM-9PM, Sat.9AM-8PM

Lexington Co. C&D Landfill - 498 Landfill Lane, Lexington. M-Sat 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Lexington Co. Sandhills Collection Center - 3241 Charleston Hwy., Cayce.  M-W-F, Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sun 3:00 - 7:00 PM.

Lexington Co. Southeast Collection Center - 538 Martin Neese Road, Swansea. M-W-F, Sat 7:00 AM -7:00 PM, Sun 3:00 - 7:00 PM

Meadowlake Park -600 Beckman Rd Columbia. M-F 2-9 PM, Sat 9-8 PM, Sun 1-6 PM

Polo Road Park - 730 Polo Road, Columbia. M-F 2-9PM, Sat 9-8 PM, Sun 1-6PM

Richland Co. C&D Landfill - 1070 Caughman Road, North (Off Monticello). M-F 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM, Sat 12:30 - 5:30 PM

Richland Co. Lower Richland Drop-off Center - 10531 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia. M-Sat 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sun 12:30-6:00 PM.

Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church - 5508 Sunset Blvd. (Highway 378), Lexington.

Seven Oaks Park - 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia. (Near the intersection of St. Andrews and Piney Grove Roads.)

Other: Please remember to remove the tree from its stand. Remove all ornamentation, lights, garlands, wires, strings or ties. Drop off trees only - no wreaths or other greenery will be accepted.

Free mulch from the recycled Christmas trees will be available to the public on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at Seven Oaks Park and the Clemson Institute for Economic & Community Development from 9 a.m. until the mulch runs out.

Grinding is provided by ASPLUNDH.