Have a green Christmas this holiday season and recycle your Christmas tree and burnt out lights at one of many locations through the South Okanagan.
Burning Christmas trees creates strong smoke due to moisture in the wood and needles. Fine particulates from smoke have been linked to respiratory and heart diseases.
Any tinsel, fake snow or ornaments left on the tree will create added pollution when burnt. All landfills in the Regional District of the South Okanagan will accept, free of charge up to 500 kg (1,100 lbs), clean natural Christmas trees free of tinsel, fake snow, ornaments and lights.
The trees will be chipped and given new life as animal bedding or compost.
Several communities offer seasonal Christmas tree collection or drop off programs:
For a donation, the Penticton Fire Fighters Local 1399 will pick up trees from Dec. 27 to Jan. 18.
All donations received will go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and Muscular Dystrophy charities.
Penticton and West Bench residents can call 250-490-2315 to register for collection. Residents can also drop off clean, natural Christmas trees at Fire Hall #2 at 285 Dawson Ave from Dec. 27 to Jan. 31.
District of Summerland residents can call the Fire Hall at 250-404-4088 or e-mail [email protected] to request collection of their Christmas trees.
For a donation, Summerland Secondary students will be out collecting trees on Sunday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 11.
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 from Dec. 26 to Friday, Jan. 9.
This program is supported by 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 the Sun Bowl Arena sign until Monday, Jan. 12.
In Naramata, trees will be collected the week of Jan. 19.
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 placed at your curbside.
Please advise Craig Henderson that you wish to have your tree picked up, 250-496-5222 or [email protected]. 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.
Used Christmas lights and all other lighting equipment can also be recycled for free at the J&C Bottle Depot in Penticton, the T-2 Bottle Depot in Oliver and the Osoyoos Bottle Depot.
The Campbell Mountain Landfill, Oliver and Keremeos Landfills can also accept lighting equipment free of charge.
For more information visit www.lightrecycle.ca.