"We really want to let people take advantage of these extra days so that when they have that extra cardboard, that extra boxboard or that extra plastic from the holidays or from their online shopping, it gives them that extra outlet for recycling those those materials," Cathy DeShambo, environmental services administrator for the DPW said.

For items that cannot be recycled, the city will also be offering no-fee holiday refuse collection from Dec. 15, 2020, until Jan. 4, 2021. Residents can dispose of extra holiday refuse during this time, but yard waste and bulk items are not included and bags cannot weigh more than 40 pounds. Refuse will be collected on residents' normal collection days, except on holidays.

According to DeShambo, DPW piloted the current program about five years ago. It was a little slow the first year with just a few participants, but since then, the popularity has grown every year.

"That's why we've continued to offer (the program) as an option," DeShambo said. "And because we're (also) really focused on waste reduction, and we want to make sure that we are offering all the opportunities that we can to our residents to recycle."

The city will also be collecting live-cut Christmas trees to be used as mulch in East Lansing parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for use as rabbit habitats. Trees must be placed curbside for collection anytime between Dec. 28, 2020, and Jan. 15, 2021. Requests in advance and stickers are not required.

For residents who would like to drop off their tree, drop-off sites will also be available through Jan. 15, 2020, at the following locations:

• Patriarche Park — parking lot on Alton Road
• Emerson Park — Arbor Drive entrance
• Henry Fine Park — parking lot at Winchester Drive
• Valley Court Park — south of the Valley Court Community Center
• Albert A. White Memorial Park — parking lot at Pebblebrook Lane

All decorations must be removed from the trees, as well as bags and tree stands. Trees that are taller than six feet must be cut in half.

"We want to encourage people to go on our city's website to our recycling page and make sure that they double check the recycling guide to make sure that the recyclable materials that they're putting in their car, they're actually accepted," DeShambo said.

Residents can call the East Lansing DPW at 517-337-9459 with questions about any of these collection services.