The lights are down, the ornaments packed away and the presents unwrapped. Christmas is over, but what do you do with your tree?

Starting Dec. 26, you can recycle your tree by bringing it to a recycling site in your area. Alabama Power is teaming up with participating Bruno's Supermarkets, BFI, Waste Management, Superior Waste Services, the Boy Scouts of America, B.A.S.S. and the Alabama Environmental Council for this year's "Recycle the Spirit" Christmas tree recycling program.

Recycling trees helps keep the environment cleaner, healthier and more attractive. More than 462,000 trees have been recycled since the program's establishment in 1989. "Recycle the Spirit" has provided trees for fish habitats, mulch for area beautification and saved more than 100,000 cubic yards of landfill space.

To participate, bring your Christmas tree to one of the 36 collection sites throughout your state from Dec. 26 to Jan. 13. Trees will not be accepted after Jan. 13. Please remove the decorations and stand from your Christmas tree before dropping it off in the designated area at participating Bruno's, Food World and Food Fair stores.

                            Recycle the spirit
                     Christmas Tree recycling program
                   Montgomery area participating stores

  BRUNO'S
  2747 Bell Rd., Montgomery
  3443 McGhee Rd., Montgomery

  FOOD WORLD
  1850 Main St., Prattville
  4896 US Hwy. 231, Wetumpka
  1302 Highland Ave., Selma
  1550 Opelika Rd., Auburn

  FOOD FAIR
  Clanton:  2207 7th St. N.
  Tallassee:  462 Gilmer Ave.

SOURCE: Alabama Power