Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

SO LONG, CHRISTMAS!

How to dispose of your Christmas Tree in Kamloops

Dec 28, 2022 | 4:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — If the growing pile of conifers at Albert McGowan Park is any indication, Kamloops residents are ready to move on from Christmas. Luckily, the City of Kamloops has residents covered, no matter where they live.

“There are 12 options right across the city in pretty well every neighbourhood to make it convenient to drop off your Christmas trees,” Glen Farrow, Streets & Environmental Services Manager with the City of Kamloops says. “They are all open and will continue to be open until the middle of January.”

Exact locations can be found on the city website, or if you’re extra tech-savvy, on the city’s Waste Wise app. And don’t forget to ensure your tree is ready to be recycled.

“We do recommend that you strip it right down, of the lights and the tinsel, and all those special Christmas ornaments before you take it to the drop-off,” Farrow says.

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Ed Lapierre – aka Ed the Security Guy – has a similar request, if you chose his special pick-up service for your expired tree.

“No undecorating, and I prefer them to be out of the house,” Lapierre says.

Ed picks up trees for a minimum $10 donation, the proceeds of which all go to the Kamloops Hospice Association.

“I’ll pick up your Christmas trees on (January) 7th and 8th and on the 14th and 15th, this year,” Lapierre tells CFJC Today. “We’re going to do two weekends because it’s been so busy the last couple of years.”

To arrange for Ed to come to pick up your tree, you can call him or email him – but make sure you get in touch early.

“I’d prefer if they could call at least two days in advance, just so I can plan my route throughout the city because it does get busy,” Lapierre says. “The last two years we’ve raised $4000 each year for Kamloops Hospice, so we’re hoping to grow a little.”

The trees get chipped and taken to the Cinnamon Ridge compost facility, where they’re mixed in with similar materials.

“It’s a great resource that ultimately can get brought back to your garden or your yard in the future,” Farrow says. “It’s a really sustainable approach that we’ve taken for decades now.”