NATCHEZ &8212; Recycling efforts may be fashionable these days, but they&8217;re nothing new.

In fact, the Mississippi State Extension Service says many Christians in 16th century Europe either burned their Christmas trees to celebrate Epiphany or used the branches to form a cross for Lent.

But for those who choose not to go that route, there are still a couple of modern-day options for trees that will soon have passed their useful life.

All garbage collection firms serving Adams County and Concordia Parish pick up trees their customers leave by the street with regular garbage.

From there, trees are chipped for easier disposal.

Also, Natchez Public Works Operations Director Ronnie Ivey has said people can leave their trees at the Public Works Division behind the Police Department on D&8217;Evereaux Drive.

Trees can be left there during operating hours, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

&8220;They can bring them there through the second week of January and we&8217;ll chip them,&8221; Ivey said.

And while not all public parks allow trees to be dumped in their lakes to serve as fish habitat, both Natchez State Park and Concordia Parish&8217;s Cocodrie Bayou refuge do so.

&8220;Some people do it each year,&8221; said Mike Ewing, biologist at the Cocodrie refuge. &8220;It&8217;s not the best material to use (for fish habitat), but we can use it for a short time.&8221;