COVINGTON, KY - The Department of Public Improvements Solid Waste and Urban Forestry Divisions, and Keep Covington Beautiful, in conjunction with Republic Services, the City's waste management vendor, are pleased to announce the first annual curbside Christmas tree pickup for all citizens of Covington starting December 29, 2014 and running through January 9, 2015.

Natural Christmas trees that are free of all decorations, including tinsel, are acceptable for pick up.

This program will turn the trees into mulch, which will be used by the City's Urban Forestry Division and offered to residents for free.

Mulch can be accessed at the Devou Park Public Improvements Garage located at 1700 Montague Road. If you're interested in using the mulch, Contact the Department of Public Improvements at 859-292-2292 or email jroberts@covingtonky.gov.

Solid Waste Coordinator Sheila Fields urges everyone to "Go Green this holiday season and give the gift that keeps on giving - Environmental Stewardship".

"Before this program was launched last year," she said, "trees were picked up with the trash and sent to a landfill. Sizes of landfills can be significantly reduced if we recycle more and reduce our daily waste.  Recycling trees helps create healthier landscapes and keeps good organic matter out of a landfill."

The program is specifically for natural trees and trees constructed of any type of synthetic material will not be picked up or accepted.

Call Republic Services at 1-800-543-1339 today to schedule your pick up if you're looking for a free, eco-friendly, no-hassle way of getting rid of your Christmas tree.