Christmas tree collection program starting Saturday

TREES SHOULD BE VISIBLE AND STRIPPED OF DECORATIONS

The City of Lethbridge is starting up their annual Christmas tree collection program on Saturday. Participants in this program will not only help reduce unnecessary waste in the landfill, but also support local youth.

This year, Senator Buchanan Elementary School will be doing the collection with family and volunteers to support their fundraising activities, with all COVID-19 guidelines being followed.

Christmas trees should be visible, stripped of all decorations and placed outside by 7 a.m. on Saturday to be collected.

According to the City of Lethbridge, there is no need to sign up for the program, those wanting the service just place the Christmas tree by the regular garbage collection location, front or alley, but away from the blue and black bins. Christmas trees will be collected from all areas of the city.

Depending on weather, equipment, the collection may happen over a few days.

Since the beginning of the program 27 years ago, more than 80,000 Christmas trees have been diverted from landfill and turned into environmentally-friendly mulch.

Mulch is a useful addition to planting beds to reduce the need for watering and weeding.

The mulch created from the Christmas tree collection is made available to residents at no charge on a first-come basis at Peenaquim Park, in the parking lot adjacent to the dog park.

If you miss the annual Christmas Tree Collection Program, trees can also be composted at the Waste & Recycling Centre at any time of the year.

Residents can take advantage of the free Saturday program to avoid tipping fees at the landfill.

Youth groups interested in participating in future collections are encouraged to contact Waste & Recycling Services to find out details on making a submission.

For more information on this program and other services, call Lethbridge 311 or visit Lethbridge.ca/wrs.