TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Troy Department of Public Works will be picking up Christmas trees during weekly curbside collection starting this week. The trees will be recycled into mulch and break down over time.

Recycling your Christmas tree keeps them out of landfills. Only real trees can be recycled. Artificial ones will not be picked up.

To make sure your tree can be recycled:

• Take all ornaments, lights and decorations off and remove the tree stand
• Place the tree next to your recycling and garbage on you normal collection day
• City sanitation crews will pickup the tree

Residents can still drop-off their old holiday lights for the city’s recycling program through January 15.

Christmas tree collection will continue through January 31. For more information, you can contact the Department of Public Works dispatcher at (518) 270-4579.