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December 27, 2024
With the holiday season soon coming to a close, residents have several ways to dispose of their Christmas trees and holiday waste.
Natural Christmas trees
The City starts curbside collection of natural Christmas trees on Monday, January 20. Trees will be picked up by February 3. Please note trees may not necessarily be collected on residents’ scheduled waste collection day. Residents are asked to place trees out for collection by 7 a.m. on January 20 to help ensure they are collected. Alternatively, residents can bring trees to a Community Recycling Depot or Eco Station during regular operating hours.
In preparation for collection residents are asked to:
- Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, garlands, nails, screws and tree stands. This allows collected trees to be chipped and composted.
- Cut trees larger than two metres (6.5 feet) into smaller pieces. This helps to keep collectors safe.
- Place the unbagged tree on its side next to the garbage or food scraps cart.
- Ensure Christmas trees are clear of snow and ice so they can be easily spotted and lifted during pick-up.
Apartment or condominium residents and curbside collection residents who want to help Waste Services reduce its carbon footprint can take natural Christmas trees, free of charge, to:
- A Community Recycling Depot anytime from December 27 - February 9 (place the tree next to the entrance or exit of the depot and ensure it does not block access).
- One of four Eco Stations during regular operating hours. Staff will provide specific instructions on where to place trees.
Christmas trees should not be placed in or near apartment or condominium garbage, recycling or food waste bins as they will not be picked up.
Artificial Christmas trees
Artificial trees in good condition can be donated to a local charity, second-hand store or the Reuse Centre. The Reuse Centre accepts artificial tree donations as long as the tree is in a box and includes all parts.
For artificial trees in poor condition, residents can:
- Take them to an Eco Station (a small fee applies).
- Place trees in black garbage carts (lid must fully close). Be careful not to stuff it tightly in the cart, as this may prevent it from sliding out during collection.
Proper disposal of holiday waste
Properly sorting holiday waste is important because it keeps waste out of the landfill, helps keep staff safe and ensures operations run efficiently.
While many kinds of wrapping paper and boxes can be recycled, hazardous materials—such as batteries and broken Christmas lights—need to go to the Eco Station for safe disposal. It’s important to remember that batteries come in all shapes and sizes, from your everyday AAAs and old electronics, to unexpected and forgotten batteries like those found in musical greeting cards, vape pens and rechargeable electronic devices. Simply placing these items in the garbage can pose a significant injury risk to staff who help sort waste or cause fires and other costly operational issues at City waste facilities. Items such as gift bows, gift bags and unused wrapping paper can be donated to the Reuse Centre.
As for other holiday waste items, use the WasteWise app to find out what goes where. Find the app on edmonton.ca/WasteWise or download it for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
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