When you take down your Christmas tree after the holidays, keep in mind you can dispose of it in an eco-friendly manner.
Central Okanagan Waste Reduction Facilitator Rae Stewart says, “Your tree can have another life after the holidays. By dropping it off at any one of the convenient Chip It locations, your tree will then be chipped and composted into GlenGrow. This nutrient-rich soil conditioner is perfect for top dressing your lawn, landscaping, mixing in your vegetable garden, or using as potting soil. It’s available at the Glenmore landfill and many landscape supply centers throughout the spring and summer.”
Before dropping your tree off for recycling, please remove all decorations and tinsel, as well as any plastic bags or other materials used for transporting the tree.
Central Okanagan Christmas tree drop-off locations run January 31:
- Kelowna and Area: At the corner of Richter and Rowcliffe and at the Glenmore Landfill
- Westside: Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre (Asquith Road) Open Friday-Monday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Lake Country: Jack Seaton Park (1950 Camp Road)
- Peachland Compost Site (Princeton Road) Open Monday-Sunday 7 am – 3:30 pm
For more information, visit regionaldistrict.com/recycle or call the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250
KFD offer chipping service
Firefighters from the Kelowna Fire Department will also offer a Christmas tree chipping service to raise funds for the B.C. Burn Fund.
For a donation to the B.C. Burn Fund, firefighters will chip tinsel-free Christmas trees Jan. 4 and 5 at the Enterprise Way fire hall and at the DeHart Road fire hall in Kelowna. Firefighters in West Kelowna will also provide the tree chipping service Jan 4 and 5 at the fire station on Old Okanagan Highway.
The firefighters are being supported in this fundraiser by Cody Tree Services, 4 Less Disposal and Okanagan Portable Sign Rentals
More than 3,700 professional fire fighters in BC dedicate and donate their time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety issues through the work the Burn Fund does with its Burn Awareness, Research and Prevention Programs.
Vernon Christmas Tree Drop
Residents of the City of Vernon, District of Coldstream, and B.X. are invited to take their Christmas trees to the drop-off site located at 47th Ave and 20th Street in the vacant lot next to St. John’s Ambulance, up to January 19. Christmas trees can also be taken to Regional landfills free of charge until January 2014.
Penticton Christmas Tree Pick-Up
By donation, the Penticton Fire Fighters Local 1399 will be collecting trees until Jan. 19, 2014. All donations received will go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and Muscular Dystrophy charities. To register for a pick-up please call 250-490-2315.
Penticton residents can also drop off natural trees for chipping at Fire Hall #2 located at 285 Dawson Avenue until January 31.
District of Summerland residents can call the Fire Hall at 250-494-7211 Ext 3 or e-mail sfd@summerland.ca to request collection of their Christmas Trees. Summerland Secondary students will be out collecting trees on Sunday, January 5 and Sunday, January 12. Donations go to the Summerland Secondary Dry Grad.
Town of Oliver residents can drop off Christmas Trees at the south gate of the Oliver Public Works Yard at 5971 Sawmill Road. This service will run until Friday, January 3. Collection of trees is through the local Air Cadets.
Town of Osoyoos residents can drop off Christmas Trees adjacent to the washroom at Kinsmen Park (on boulevard) or at the Northwest Corner of the Parking Lot below Sun Bowl Arena sign until Friday, January 10.
In Naramata, trees will be collected the week of January 13. If you live in Naramata and would like your tree picked up by volunteers, please ensure it is clean of fake snow, tinsel and ornaments and place it at your curbside. Please advise Craig Henderson that you wish to have your tree picked up, 250-496-5222 or craig@vip.net. This community service is sponsored by the Naramata Citizens Association, Craig Henderson of Royal LePage Locations West Realty, Cotter’s Bin & Demolition Service and the RDOS.
