Give a gift to the environment

Story by Barry Potyondi

If you celebrate Christmas, the odds are about one in three that you still purchase a natural Christmas tree. Every January, municipal waste management facilities gear up to recycle a small forest of glitter weary trees.

Albertans have rallied round the concept. Last year, Calgarians recycled more than 50,000 trees. In Edmonton, the number was about 30,000. Smaller centres like Grande Prairie saw 2,500 people take part in this effort, which supplements the community’s commendable and highly unusual year-round effort to recycle trees of all kinds.

If you want to recycle your tree:

1. Strip the tree of all lights, garlands, tinsel and other decorations.

2. Do not bag the tree.

3. Keep your tree until the Christmas tree recycling centres open in January, then deliver it yourself to ensure proper disposal and to reduce the burden on municipal or volunteer pick-up crews.

Note: In some centers like Edmonton, the city will pick up your tree curbside, on your normal garbage day.

When chipped, the tree trunk and branches become a rich mulch that can be applied to gardens, parks, animal stalls, and walking trails. It not only protects plant roots, but also conserves moisture, slows weed growth, and adds important nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Spruce tree mulch is particularly beneficial to acid-loving plants.

In some places, like Lethbridge and Calgary, the wood chips are available to the public upon request.