The Boy Scout Troop #171's annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program is a great way to repurpose your tree after the holidays. Joe Thompson, a third-year volunteer, said, "This effort supports sustainability and helps fund our troop's activities and community initiatives."

"Troop #171 is an all-female troop affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. They have weekly meetings, monthly camping trips, and spend time outdoors while helping the community. People can sign up to have their trees picked up from their curb. The recycled trees are used as mulch for Indy parks and playgrounds. Last year, they recycled about 600 trees," He explained.

"The troop is sponsored by the Second Presbyterian Church (located in the 7700 block of North Meridian Street) and includes scouts ages 11 to 17 from various schools. They proudly develop female leaders and prepare them to confidently face their futures," Thompson added.

Anne Shumaker is the Outreach Coordinator of the BSA Troop 171 that is affiliated with the Second Presbyterian Church. "We started our troop in February of 2019, when the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) let females into the program. There were groups of parents with sons and some of them had sisters and we founded our first female troop in the state of Indiana," she said.

Flyers have been distributed around local neighborhoods. Trees should be placed at the curb by 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 4th with the BSA #171 flyer attached to them. To participate, residents can sign up and make a donation at www.indytroop171.org. Checks can be mailed to "BSA Troop 171" at 1299 Bentley Way, Carmel, Indiana 46032.

Download the Christmas Tree Recycling flyer.