Thunder Bay·Audio

Thunder Bay residents have green holiday by composting Christmas trees

Thunder Bay's annual Christmas tree recycling program is operating until January 10, 2016.
Natural Christmas trees, like this one in the CBC Thunder Bay lobby, can be recycled until January 10, 2017. (Cathy Alex/CBC)

Thunder Bay's annual Christmas tree recycling program is operating until January10, 2016.

Once you've removed all the lights, tinsel and decorations, you can take your tree to one of 10 drop-off locations, said Jason Sherband, manager of Thunder Bay's solid waste and recycling services section.

The trees will then be trucked to the dump and mixed in with the leaf and yard waste from curbside collections in the spring and fall. 
"Natural Christmas trees are recyclable and can add value to our community," said Jason Sherband, manager of the Thunder Bay's solid waste and recycling services section. (Cathy Alex/CBC)

It's all ground up and turned into soil-enriching compost which is given away, for free, back to residents in the spring, said Sherband.

"I always like to say, with this program, it's really a true form of recycling in that we get to see the end product in the finished compost and it stays here locally in the community," said Sherband.

He said each year people in Thunder Bay recycle 30 to 40 metric tons of Christmas trees.

The drop-off locations are scattered around the city.

NORTH

  • Brent Park (Balsam at Margaret)
  • County Park Tennis Courts (County Blvd.)
  • Grandview Arena (Madeline Street) between Grandview Arena & Westminster United Church - not in arena parking lot
  • John Jumbo Recreation Centre (Toivo St)
  • Strathcona Golf Course

SOUTH

  • Delaney Arena (Legion Track Dr)
  • Kinsmen Northwood Centre (609 James St N)
  • Lakehead Labour Centre (Fort William Rd)
  • Westfort Playing Field (off Neebing Ave)
  • West Thunder Community Centre (915 S Edward St)