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Don't do this and other 'wishcycling' rules for holiday garbage

Londoners gathering up the wrapping and considering what to do with the tree in the post-Christmas cleanup season will want to review the recycling and garbage rules laid out by the city.

The City of London is not picking up Christams trees at the curb

CBC News ·
A blue bin full of non-recyclable wrapping paper.
Wrapping paper coated with plastic or foil is not recyclable and should go into the garbage, not the blue bin. (Submitted by James Ross)

Londoners gathering up the wrapping and considering what to do with the tree in the post-Christmas cleanup season will want to review the recycling and garbage rules laid out by the city.

"Wishcycling" is a concept city officials say they want people to take to heart as they load up the blue bins. 

"Just because you 'wish' you could recycle something, doesn't mean you can," spokesperson Andrew Sercombe wrote Friday. "Paper items coated with plastic or foil contain coloured dyes and are not recyclable."

He provided a list of holiday items that do not go into the blue bin: 

  • Clementine boxes.
  • Ribbons, bows and decorations.
  • Plastic toys.
  • Styrofoam™ and bubble wrap.
  • Paper napkins, towels and soiled paper plates. 

Once the decorations and lights are off the Christmas tree, disposing of the trees falls to Londoners and that doesn't mean putting them on the curb for garbage pickup.

What to do with the tree

Sercombe said people with backyards can consider putting the tree outside where it will become habitat for birds this winter. 

"In the spring, trees that are three metres or shorter can be placed at the curb for regular yard waste collection," Sercombe said. 

Everyone else will have to take the tree to one of four EnviroDepots located around London. The hours of operation for tree drop off are as follows: 

  • Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 | 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 | 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 | 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 | 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 | 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Don't pour it down the drain

Food waste after the holidays is also a going garbage concern for city officials in waste management. Excess gravy and other greasy oils will block sewer pipes, city officials said, and can cause major issues later on. 

Londoners can throw out oily liquids in the green bin, putting them first in a compostable bag or newspaper. Another approach is to pour the grease into a Fat, Oils and Grease Cup (FOG CUP) provided by the city and take it to an EnviroDepot for recycling.

One full FOG cup can be turned into enough energy to power a refrigerator for a day. Free FOG Cups (limit 2 per household per visit) can be picked up at the City's EnviroDepots and London Public Libraries.

The city of London hands out these paper cups, which can be used to collect hot grease. The cups provide an incentive to keep grease out of the sewer system, where it can mix with other materials and cause costly blockages.
The City of London hands out these paper cups, which can be used to collect grease. The cups provide an incentive to keep grease out of the sewer system, where it can mix with other materials and cause costly blockages. (Submitted: Fluks Aqua)
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