Christmas Tree Recycling - make it a green Christmas and compost your real tree.

Help keep Christmas trees out of the landfill by using your green cart
or
a City drop-off location.

There are now two ways to compost your real tree:

1. Compost your real tree using your green cart

After you have removed all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and string - follow the same steps as you would for branches from your yard:

Cut your tree into small pieces and put into your green cart. Make sure the lid can close.

If your green cart is full, tie extra branches (no more than four feet long) together with a natural fibre string or place them in paper yard waste bags.

NOTE: Trees that are not prepared properly will not be collected by the city.

2. Drop-off locations

Take your tree to one of the following temporary drop-off locations between December 26 and Jan 31:

First, remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel and tree stands. Do not wrap, tie or bag your tree.

Auburn Bay Off-Leash Area
52nd St and Auburn Bay Dr S.E.

Bottomlands Park
St. George's Drive N.E. (soccer field parking lot)

Bowness
7937 43 Ave. N.W. (in lot behind building)

Braeside Park
256 Brookpark Drive S.W.

Confederation Park
905 30 Ave N.W. (east parking lot)

Huntington Hills Athletic Park
7920 4th St. at Huntstrom Dr. N.E.

IKEA
8000 11 Street S.E. (Northwest corner of parking lot behind store)

Marda Loop Communities Association
3130 16th Street S.W.

North Glenmore Park
6615 37th St. S.W. (Weaselhead Parking lot)

Park 96
14660 Parkland Blvd S.E.

Pop Davies/ Ogden Athletic Park
Ogden Rd & Millican Rd SE

Prairie Winds Park
44 St. and 54 Ave N.E. (south parking lot)

Sacramento Parks Depot
10400 Sacramento Drive S.W.

Find a City Landfill Location (Free residential drop-off between Dec 26 and Jan 31):

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to cut my tree up for Green Cart collection?
We require trees to be cut up for composting because the pieces must be small enough to fit into your green cart. All our collection trucks use carts for automated collection, and we are unable to load materials manually. Even bagged or tied branches are placed into the green cart and then emptied into the truck.


What are the benefits of composting my Christmas tree?
Collected trees will be composted with the other food and yard waste collected through the Green Cart program. By composting your Christmas tree, you can keep waste out of our landfills and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.


Can't I just put my tree in my black cart?
No. Food and yard waste must be put in your green cart. Black carts containing Christmas trees will not be collected.


Can I compost my evergreen wreath?
Yes, you can put your evergreen wreath in your green cart, or the wreath can be dropped off with your real tree at any of the drop-off locations. However, it needs to be stripped of all ornaments, bindings, or wrappings.

For more information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Drop Off locations and the Program, visit calgary.ca

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Recycling your tree isn't the only way to trim your holiday waste...

Reuse or recycle boxes, wrapping paper and another holiday packaging.

"The giving and receiving of gifts mean a lot of Christmas wrapping, boxes and other materials that can be reused or recycled," says Howland. "Save gift wrap, tags, boxes, gift bags and tissue paper to reuse for other special occasions and holidays."

Christmas packaging that can no longer be reused can go in your blue cart or be taken to a community recycling depot. Wrapping paper and tissue paper should be crumpled into balls and put in loose not bagged. We also suggest breaking down cardboard boxes to make more room in your blue cart.

Ribbons, bows, and gift bag string handles cannot be recycled – save them so they can be reused or throw them away in your black cart.

No-no items for recycling

Common items found on Christmas morning like foam packaging and foam packing peanuts can be placed in your black cart for regular garbage collection. This also includes foil or metallic-coated wrapping paper, broken ornaments, tinsel, and artificial Christmas trees.

Reuse or donate your holiday items to give them a second life

"Many local charities accept donations of useable household goods at drop-off locations or offer a free pickup service," says Howland. "Common items for donation include gently used clothing and shoes, toys and board games."

Many televisions, computers and other gadgets are purchased during the holiday season so any old electronics can be recycled at locations across the city. "The electronics recycling program is also available to take your old TVs, laptops, and printers," says Howland. There are twenty-five locations around the city to drop off your used and broken electronics items. Do not put electronics in your blue cart.