TODAY'S the day to dispose of your Christmas tree by taking it to the old Co-op parking lot beside the George Little House in Terrace.
From 11 a.m. to 3p.m. the Kitimat-Stikine regional district and the City of Terrace will be collecting trees and placing them in a large container.
They'll then taken to the Thornhill transfer station for composting by Nordic Tree Service after which the material will be trucked to the composting facility at the new Forceman Ridge waste facility, says Kitimat-Stikine regional district assistant solid waste services coordinator Kathryn Goodwin.
Those bringing trees are also asked to donate a non-perishable food item for local food banks.
One word of caution – please ensure that all lights and decorations are removed first.
Goodwin said today's collection is intended as an efficient and effective no-charge way for people to dispose of their Christmas trees.
“Those who don't wish to can take their tree to the [Thornhill] transfer station, drive over the scales and pay the tipping fee,” Goodwin added.
One other alternative – and this is for regional district residents – is to cut a tree up into pieces and place the pieces in their organics container which is picked up weekly.
“But don't leave it at the side of the road. It won't be picked up,” said Goodwin.
Trees left on the curb by city residents also won't be picked up by city workers.
But there is a weekly compost pickup and residents can cut a tree up so that it fits into a compost bag and it will then be removed.