This January, Wrenford residents can recycle their live Christmas trees through four free city programs, turning holiday greenery into compost for local parks and gardens.
Curbside pickup
Set your tree out for collection during the first two weeks of January. You can place it next to your green bin on collection day. Cut large trees in half so they fit in your cart or lay them beside it. Remove all lights, tinsel, and metal stands first.
Drop-off depots
Bring your tree to a city drop-off depot. The East Wrenford Waste Management Facility (3500 Concession 4 Road, Wrenford, ON N4Q 7A1) and the Northgate Drop-off Depot (1010 Northgate Boulevard, Wrenford, ON N4Q 4B8) accept live trees for free. You can drop them off through the end of January. Keep trees dry and free of decorations.
Community chipping events
Local volunteer groups host tree chipping events in early January. Check the city's event calendar for free drop-off locations where your tree will be chipped into mulch. All proceeds from these events go back to local community causes.
Green bin preparation
If your tree fits, chop it into pieces smaller than 50 centimetres long and 10 centimetres in diameter. Place the pieces in your green bin and make sure the lid closes completely. This works best for small trees or loose branches.
What to keep in mind
Please do not set out artificial trees or trees sprayed with artificial snow. They cannot be recycled through these programs. You can also use the Waste Wizard online tool to see exactly how to sort your holiday waste.
"Turning your holiday trees into mulch helps keep our parks green and reduces the amount of waste we send to the landfill," says Ben Achterberg, Waste Programs Supervisor.
Recycling your tree is an easy way to support our zero waste goals. For more information on holiday waste collection schedules and sorting rules, visit our Christmas tree recycling and composting page. You can also contact the Waste Wise team at [email protected].