14 million kilograms of tree debris to return to city neighbourhoods

City of Calgary officials say the trees, branches, leaves and twigs crews collected from city neighbourhoods following an early September snowstorm will be returned to city parks in the form of mulch.

“We are turning the destruction of this storm into something positive,” said Dave Griffiths, City of Calgary director of Waste & Recycling Services. “Our plan is to return a lot of it to communities where trees were damaged by providing mulch for our city parks and trails next spring or summer. Some of it may also be used in the city’s composting facility.”

Crews continue to remove debris from Calgary communities.  To date, more than 20,000 loads of tree debris has been collected from 97 neighbourhoods. The estimated weight of the debris exceeds 14 million kilograms.

The logistics of distributing the mulch will be discussed during the winter, after storm debris removal has finished.

Branches may be dropped off at pumpkin and leaf collection sites throughout Calgary and city landfills continue to waive fees for citizens transporting tree debris. No charge tree debris drop-offs will continue until November 9.

Landfill hours were extended following the September storm but will return to normal hours effective Monday, October 6.

For additional information of tree debris cleanup, visit the City of Calgary