Youth groups continue to support annual Christmas tree collection

LETHBRIDGE – If you’ve had your fill of the holidays and are ready to get rid of your Christmas tree, make sure it’s placed by your regular garbage pickup location Saturday (Jan. 14) morning!
 
The Epidemyc Youth Group and McKillop Scouting Group will be working with waste and recycling services over the next few days, collecting old trees and making sure they’re made into environmentally-friendly mulch.
 
Trees must be stripped of all decorations and placed near your regular garbage collection site by 7 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 14) morning, but away from your waste cart. The free program is made possible through fundraising efforts by local youth groups, and is facilitated by the City of Lethbridge.
 
Over the past 24 years, more than 80,000 Christmas trees have been diverted away from the landfill, thanks to this program. The mulch that’s created from the collection is available free of charge on a first-come basis when a supply is ready at Peenaquim Park, in the parking lot adjacent to the dog park.
 
Youth groups interested in participating in a future collection are encouraged to contact waste and recycling services for details on making a submission.
 
Christmas trees can also be composted at the waste and recycling centre year-round. On Saturdays, the first 250kg of waste is free, and trees can also be dropped off for a minimum $5 charge during weekdays.