Christmas tree recycling in the South Okanagan-Similkaeen regional district

PENTICTON – Residents of the regional district don’t have far to go to recycle Christmas trees and ornaments this year.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s Solid Waste Department says used Christmas lights as well as other lighting equipment can be recycled free at local bottle recyclers, including J&C Bottle Depot in Penticton, the T-2 Bottle Depot in Oliver and the Osoyoos Bottle Depot.

More information can be found at the light recycle website.

The Campbell Mountain Landfill and Oliver and Keremeos landfills also accept old lighting equipment without charge.

Penticton Firefighters will collect old Christmas trees between Dec. 27 and Jan. 16 for a donation, to go to the B.C. professional Firefighters Burn Fund and Muscular Dystrophy charities. Residents can also drop trees off at number two firehall at 285 Dawson Ave. Call 250-490-2315 for tree pickup.

Summerland residents can call the firehall at 250-404-4087 or email the fire department at: sfd@summerland ca to call for collection. Summerland Secondary School students will also collect trees on Sunday, Jan. 8 and Sunday Jan. 15 for a donation towards their dry grad celebrations.

Oliver residents can drop trees off at the south gate of the Oliver Public Works yard at 5971 Sawmill Rd. The service runs from Dec. 26 to Friday, Jan. 6 and is sponsored by the air cadets.

In Osoyoos, Christmas trees are being collected next to the washroom at Kinsmen Park, or at the northwest corner of the parking lot below the Sun Bowl Arena sign until Jan. 9. For more information call Osoyoos Operational Services at 250-495-6213, or email: pubworks@osoyoos.ca

Christmas trees will be collected in Naramata the week of Jan. 12. Residents are asked to ensure the tree is free of fake snow, ornaments and tinsel. It should be placed by the curbside after notifying Craig Henderson should residents wish their tree picked up. The service is sponsored by Naramata Citizens Association, Craig Henderson, EZ Bins and the regional district.

Regional district landfills also accept, free of charge, up to 500 kg of yard waste including clean, natural Christmas trees. The trees are chipped to make animal bedding or compost. Residents are invited to contact the regional district for more information at 1-877-610-3737.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.