ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - As the Christmas season comes to a close, a local organization is offering tree recycling services.

Starting this weekend, and continuing through January 15, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) is once again giving you the option to recycle your holiday trees.

The trees should be free of all decorations and lights. There's no fee or limit to drop off your live Christmas tree. You can bring it to any Carrs location in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer.

As for what happens to the trees? They're turned into wood chips and distributed to local schools, gardens, trails and parks.

"We've been doing it since 1997 and anywhere from 6,000 to 7,000 trees are recycled every year," said ALPAR Executive Director, Anita Nelson. "What that does is it takes a natural resource and it gives it a second life. It also stops trees from being dropped illegally in different places and being stuffed up against buildings where they create fire hazards."

Wreaths are not accepted at this time. For a small donation, you can have your tree picked up. To arrange for pickup call (907) 868-8899.