EDMONTON – With another holiday season now in the history books, the City of Edmonton is asking residents to take down their Christmas trees in preparation for collection.

Natural Trees

City crews will begin collecting natural trees on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 at 7 a.m. Residents are asked to place their un-bagged tree on its side next to their garbage.

The city says trees will be picked up for recycling within three weeks, but not necessarily on the area’s regular garbage collection day.

In order for Christmas trees to be composted, all ornaments (including tinsel, garland, nails, screws and tree stands) must be removed and large trees must be cut into two-metre (6.5-foot) sections.

Pick-up is not available from apartments and condos, and trees should not be placed in or beside the building recycling or waste bins. Instead, residents can drop their trees off at a community recycling depot or an Eco Station for free until Jan. 30, 2016.

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The City of Edmonton has been collecting and recycling Christmas trees since 1990. Last year, more than 13,000 trees were collected, chopped and composted.

Artificial Trees

The Reuse Centre accepts artificial tree donations, as long as it is in a box with all its parts. They are given to organizations and individuals for reuse.

Artificial trees that are not fit for reuse are not recyclable, and should be set out with regular garbage.