The City of Edmonton is changing the way residents dispose of their natural Christmas trees this year. Trees will no longer be picked up from the curb by waste crews following the holiday season. Residents can drop off trees at any Eco Station or the Edmonton Waste Management Centre at any time and at no cost. Community Recycling Depots will be accepting trees from Dec. 27 to Feb. 7, also at no cost. The city said the service change allows funds to be directed to other services in an effort to help keep utility rates low and stable. In January of this year, about 6,400 residents – or 2.5 per cent of households – set out trees for collection after the holidays. Despite this small number, collection trucks were required to drive past all 280,000 households with curbside collection to ensure all trees were collected. A report brought to council in March estimated that nixing the service would save about $120,000 annually. Before dropping off your tree, the city asks that you check to see all ornaments, decorations and lights have been removed. If you are looking to dispose of an artificial tree, the Reuse Centre accepts trees and decorations in good condition. Broken and non-working lights and electronics can be taken to an Eco Station for disposal. More information on holiday waste can be found here.
