Recycling Xmas trees for charity

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Donations for collecting trees go to a good cause in Penticton

There are many ways to recycle Christmas trees in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

All people have to do is remove all tinsel, fake snow and ornaments and then drop them off at designated locations.

The trees will then be chipped and given new life as animal bedding or compost.

By donation, the Penticton Fire Fighters Local 1399 will be collecting trees until Jan. 16,

All donations received will go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn fund and muscular dystrophy charities. Penticton residents can call (250) 490-2315 to register for collection. City residents can also drop off natural trees at Fire Hall #2 at 285 Dawson Ave. until Jan. 31.

People who live in Summerland can call the Fire Hall at (250) 494-7211, Ext. 3 to request collection of their trees. Summerland Secondary students will be out collecting trees on Jan. 6 and 13. Donations for this service will go to Summerland Secondary dry grad.

Oliver residents can drop off trees at the south gate of the Oliver Public Works Yard at 5971 Sawmill Road. The service will run until Jan. 4. Collection is done by local Air Cadets.

Osoyoos residents can drop off trees adjacent to the washroom at Kinsmen Park or at the northwest corner of the parking lot below Sun Bowl Arena until Jan. 11.

In Naramata, the Naramata Citizens Association will collect trees, Jan. 15 to 19.To have trees, which must be cleaned of all ornaments and fake snow, picked up, call Craig Henderson at (250) 496-5222.

All landfills in the RDOS will also accept clean, natural trees free of charge.

For more information call the RDOS Solid Waste Department at (250) 490-4129.