Reminder: Convenient annual collection of natural Christmas trees

WHEN:

Ajax and Pickering residents’ Christmas tree collection will occur on regular collection days during the weeks of Jan. 9 and Jan. 16. The last day for Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge and Clarington residents’ Christmas tree collection is on Monday, Jan. 16 only. Unfavorable weather conditions may delay collection—please leave trees out for collection on your scheduled date. Residents are encouraged to sign up for collection alerts on the Durham Region Waste App.

Oshawa and Whitby residents should refer to their municipal waste collection calendar for scheduled collection dates, or call their local municipality.

WHY:

Natural Christmas trees are shredded into wood chips and turned into mulch. Natural trees are grown as crops, eventually composting back into environment—unlike artificial trees, which end up discarded in the waste stream. Last year, approximately 376 tonnes of natural Christmas trees were collected.

NOTE:

Please note the following set-out specifications:

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    Trees must have tinsel, decorations, wire, plastic bags, lights and stands removed.

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    Trees must be set out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, but no earlier than 7 p.m. the evening before your collection day.

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    Trees in plastic bags will not be collected.

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    There is no limit to the number of trees collected per household.

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    Trees exceeding three metres (10 feet) must be cut in half for collection.

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    Please ensure trees are not buried in snow or frozen to the ground.

Residents who miss their collection date may also drop off trees at any of Durham’s Waste Management Facilities during regular hours of operation (disposal fees will apply). For more information, visit www.durham.ca/wmf, email waste@durham.ca, call 1-800-667-5671 or download the Durham Region Waste App.