The Sedgwick County Environmental Services Department is turning Christmas trees into mulch until Jan. 23 as part of its annual Christmas tree recycling program.

Department officials say the program helps lessen the flood of old Christmas trees to Wichita landfills.

The program also provides another use for the trees: People who drop off their trees for recycling at one of 22 locations in the county are able to get free mulch in return.

Officials remind people to remove all ornaments and lights before dropping off their tree for disposal.

Recycling locations in Wichita include:

Boston Park, 6655 E. Zimmerly

Buffalo Park, 10209 Hardtner

College Hill United Methodist Church, First and Erie

Earhart Environmental Magnet School, 4401 N. Arkansas

Edgemoor Park, 5815 E. 9th

Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St. North

Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North

Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd.

Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. South

South Linwood Park, Hydraulic and Mount Vernon

Other Sedgwick County locations include:

Cheney, East South Avenue and Garfield

Clearwater, Chisholm Trail Sports Complex

Colwich, 115 N. Third St.

Derby, 2801 E. James

Garden Plain, Water Tower

Goddard, Means Park

Kechi, 107 Sioux St.

Maize, 201 S. Park

Mount Hope, 400 S. Thomas

Mulvane, 117 E. Main

Park City, 6801 N. Hydraulic

Valley Center, Veterans Park

Mya Acosta is an intern in the KMUW News Lab.