Go green for the holidays 🎄

Recycling your Christmas tree in Lexington

Lexington’s downtown Christmas tree | Photo by The LEXtoday

Sure, the holidays are all fun and games — but if you celebrate Christmas, you know that sooner or later you have to deal with that “Night of the Living Dead” tree in the corner. That doesn’t mean it’s dumpster-bound. Instead, we have some tips on how to put an old tree to good use.

Curbside pickup

The City of Lexington and Fayette County will recycle your tree for you: all you have to do is bring it out to the curb starting Tues., Jan. 3. To make sure it gets properly recycled, you’ll need to remove the tinsel, garland, tree stand + ornaments before bringing it out.

Drop-off recycling

Maybe you just can’t wait for curbside pickup. Drop the tree off yourself at Hayley Pike Waste Management Facility, 4216 Hedger Ln. Be sure to properly secure the tree to your car if you opt for this route.

Your holiday boxes, tissue paper + non-foil-lined gift wrap can be dropped off at these locations around town while batteries and electronics can be dropped off at Lexington’s Electronic Recycling Center, 1306 Versailles Rd.

Building a new habitat

a lake — State employees stage trees at boat ramps before beginning to build the underwater fish habitats. | Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife collects Christmas trees, with lights and ornaments removed, to be used in the construction of fish habitats across the Commonwealth.

Lexington’s tree drop-off location is located at Jacobson Park in the Paddle Craft Parking Lot, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd. It will be open from Monday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Jan. 15.

There are a few more ways to naturally repurpose your tree.

LEARN ABOUT MULCHING AND NATURAL FEEDERS

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Dec. 22

Makerspace Open Studio | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 1-5:30 p.m. | Eastside Branch, 3000 Blake James Dr., Lexington | Free | Explore and tinker with the library’s unique offerings — a 3D printer, pottery kiln, and more.

Friday, Dec. 23

Krampus | Friday, Dec. 23 | 2-5 p.m. | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, celebrate the season with a free public screening of “Krampus,” a holiday horror movie.

Saturday, Dec. 24

Christmas Storytime | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 11 p.m. | Joseph-Beth, 161 Lexington Green Circle, Ste. B, Lexington | Free | Kids can enjoy special holiday readings at this local bookstore.

Saturday, Dec. 25

Frozen | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 3:30 p.m. | The Kentucky Theatre, 215 E. Main St., Lexington | $6.50 | Celebrate the season with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf at the historic Kentucky Theatre.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Red Mile’s $75,000 New Year’s Zoom Ball | Saturday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m. | Red Mile Gaming & Racing, 1101 Winbak Way, Lexington | Free | End the year winning at Red Mile with live entertainment, food and drink specials, and a $75,000 New Year’s Eve Zoom Ball Drawing.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

48º | Morning showers | 39% chance of rain
Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency ahead of the upcoming arctic front that is expected to roll through the Commonwealth. Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing Thursday night and remain that way through the holiday weekend. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Traffic

Residents in south Lexington are rejoicing because Clays Mill Road is now officially fully open to traffic. This highly utilized neighborhood thoroughfare has been closed from Rosemont Garden to Harrodsburg Road since late summer. Read more about the project. (LEX18)

Sports

UK football has officially added six new players to its 2023 roster from the transfer portal. Read about the new players and their positions, including a new quarterback and a new running back. (UK Athletics)

Legacy

Robert Jefferson, who was revered for his efforts in helping desegregate Lexington’s schools, has died at the age of 90. Robert’s efforts brought awareness and change to the Fayette County Public School system. Robert also served on Lexington’s council, voting on the Fairness Ordinance in 1999. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Regional

Knott County, near Hazard, KY, has secured 75 acres of land that will be developed into a high-ground community for residents in Eastern Kentucky affected by this summer’s flooding. The residential area will be called Olive Branch, plans for which include single-family homes, senior apartments, a park, and potentially an elementary school. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Shop

Local retailer Kentucky for Kentucky is having its final sale of the holiday season. Head to 720 Bryan Ave. to shop for last-minute Y’alliday-themed gifts — t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, and more. The sale lasts until Friday, Dec. 23.

Listen

Need a gift that only takes a few mouse clicks? Gift three, six, or 12 months of an Audible Premium Plus membership. They’ll get one credit a month good for any title, plus instant access to thousands of books and podcasts in The Plus Catalog. Hello, future book club. 📚*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Aaron.

Editor’s pick: One of my favorite holiday traditions is snagging a few bags of holiday-flavored coffee beans from Coffee Times Coffee House.

Two of my favorite flavors are “Mistletoe Joe” and “Snow Dream.” I can’t wait to wake up to those smells on Christmas morning.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about a few of our favorite experience-based gifts.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Aaron Mikel, Molly Thompson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY