How to properly dispose of your Christmas tree

An undated stock image of a Christmas tree. (cottonbro studio/Pexels)

Do you still have your Christmas tree and want to know what to do with it?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to put it out at the curb for collecting next week.

Waterloo Region

For two weeks after Christmas Day, the Region of Waterloo’s waste management teams will pick up trees during curbside collection.

From Jan. 6 to Jan. 17, the region will allow residents to put trees on the curb by 7 a.m. All ornaments and decorations must be removed from the tree and the tree cannot be bagged.

Residents are asked to cut trees longer than 1.8 metres or six feet in half.

Keep the tree visible on the curb and don’t place it on or behind a snowbank.

If the tree is artificial, the region will still pick it up and classify it as a bulky item.

If you miss out on the two week collection period, the region suggests a few options.

The region suggests reusing the tree’s wood for crafts such as creating coasters or bird feeders.

Trees can be dropped off at waste management facilities where they will be chipped into mulch.

After the two week deadline, residents can still set it on the curb during collection day and it will be picked up as a bulky item and taken to a landfill.

Guelph

The city of Guelph doesn’t have a schedule specific to Christmas trees, although artificial trees can be placed in the provided grey cart to be picked up, or Guelph residents can call for large item collection at 519-767-0598 and pay for a ticket for a large item.

For natural trees, the city suggests donating trees to Trees for Tots. With a minimum donation of $15, those willing to donate can register their trees to be picked up by volunteers. While the money goes toward local children, trees will be collected, mulched and spread back through nature or used for community projects. They will be collecting trees on Jan. 11. The deadline to register is Jan. 7 at noon.

Natural trees can also be dropped off at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre on Dunlop Drive for a fee.

Brantford

The city of Brantford’s Merry Mulch program allows residents to put their trees out on the curb for collection from Jan. 6 to Jan. 17. Trees are to be placed on the curb before 7 a.m. with all decorations and ornaments removed.

Any trees over 8 feet must be cut in half.