How to dispose of your Christmas trees and holiday waste

KAMLOOPS — Christmas is over, the holiday decorations are starting to come down and those who opt for a real tree at Christmas have begun to haul them away.

“Usually it’s that weekend just before New Year’s Day,” said City Streets and Environmental Services Manager Glen Farrow. “People have a bit more time off, looking to clean up from all the craziness of Christmas and New Year’s, so either just before or just after New Year’s Day tends to be the busiest.”

The City of Kamloops has multiple tree recycling locations across town. Residents can offload their trees, which will later be made into compost.

“Really, any opportunity we can have in diverting product from the landfill and repurposing or reusing that wood, that’s what we’re looking to do,” Farrow said. “So, not only are we saving space within the landfill, but we’re creating that wood into compost as a better resource to be used.”

Kamloops residents who want to feel really good about the way they dispose of their trees may want to give Ed LaPierre a call. Every year, LaPierre provides a Christmas tree pick up service for a minimum $10 donation to Kamloops Hospice. It’s a cause close to his heart.

“Hospice is just a great place,” LaPierre said. “I lost my brother and he spent his last six days in Kamloops Hospice. I’ve got many friends who have been in hospice and it’s just such an amazing place to go for not just the patients, but the families.”

This year, LaPierre will be picking up Christmas trees over two weekends, Jan. 2-3 and Jan. 9-10. People should remove all ornaments and leave their trees outside.

“I prefer the tree in the front yard,” he said. “If they cannot, seniors or people that are unable to, I will go to the backyard or the closest door. I prefer not to go into the home to pick up. It must be out of the stand and ready to go.”

Last year, LaPierre raised $1,000 for hospice and he hopes to exceed that amount this year.

You can arrange for your tree to be picked up by calling or texting Ed LaPierre at 250-851-1131 or email securityguy@telus.net

While you’re disposing of your Christmas tree, chances are you have a lot of other waste to get rid of after the holidays.

The city is encouraging people to download the Waste Wise app in order to understand the shifting garbage and recycling pick up schedule.

Any excess recycling can be brought to one of the RecycleBC depots in the city. Residents are encouraged to use the landfill as a last resort.

“Over the coming weeks and over the coming months you will see your tonnages – you will see that space be regained through your recycling carts,” Farrow said. “So, if you do have the ability to stretch it out over the next month that would be great, but if not there are those depots available throughout the community.”