MADISON – The lights are off the tree, the (once) live greenery is a bit brown … even the last crumbs of fruit cake are gone. Now is the time to prepare for Operation Christmas Clean Up.

On Jan. 9, residents can clear out recyclable items that have accumulated during the holidays. In Madison, Operation Christmas Clean Up will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Madison City Schools Stadium at 211 Celtic Drive, next door to Central Office for Madison City Schools.

This collection day will be the only opportunity to recycle Christmas trees in the City of Huntsville, City of Madison and in Madison County. Along with live Christmas trees, individuals can turn in and recycle cardboard, electronics and batteries.

Items that will not be accepted include artificial trees, wrapping paper and packaging materials, such as Styrofoam and plastic wrapping or other forms of plastic.

Residents should stay in their vehicles. To confirm correct social distancing, teams of workers will unload items from all cars and trucks. Residents are asked to wear masks when interacting with team members. All team members onsite will observe COVID-19 precautions.

The Solid Waste Disposal Authority or SWDA and the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama or RANA, along with Operation Green Team, City of Huntsville, City of Madison and Madison County, are collaborating for this cleanup effort.

SWDA reminds residents to not forget that holiday string lights are tanglers. As a result, residents cannot recycle the lights, which get tangled and cause jams in machinery at the recycle center.

In addition, bows and ribbons that decorated holiday gifts are not recyclable. Try saving this trim and reuse the bows on future gifts.

Along with the site in Madison, Operation Christmas Clean Up also will allow operate in Huntsville at Joe Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Road.

In case of inclement weather, the alternative date for Operation Christmas Clean Up will be Jan. 16, 2021.

For more information, visit recycling-alliance.com. Click “News” from the menu, and then click the “Operation Christmas Clean Up” box. Individuals also can visit huntsvilleal.gov, Facebook/Operation Green Team and Twitter HsvGreenTeam.