The carols have been sung, the fruitcake has been eaten and the presents have all been unwrapped…Christmas is over for another year. But now Pipestone Flyer readers have one final job to tackle: getting rid of that authentic Christmas tree.
Depending on where readers call home in the paper’s large circulation area, options are different for dropping off that browning, drying holiday symbol.
County of Wetaskiwin
In the County of Wetaskiwin, Dea Reid, Public Works administrative assistant, stated in a Dec. 29 email, “In response to your question you can dispose of Christmas trees at the following transfer stations: Gwynne, Mulhurst Bay, Lakedell, Winfield and Buck Lake.”
When asked if there are any special requirements or conditions for dropping off a tree, Reid responded, “You must have the transfer station card to access the site and there is no fee for the trees and do not need to be tied up as they will go into the burn pile.”
Leduc County
Katherine Degaust, communications coordinator, Corporate Services said by phone Dec. 29 the municipality’s Public Works department is directing residents to dispose of their Christmas trees at the regular waste transfer stations that handle such material.
The Christmas trees dropped off at Leduc County transfer stations will be recycled. “The trees can go into the wood bins,” said Degaust.
The standard transfer stations are generally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but days of operation vary; check http://www.leduc-county.com/about/leduc-county-facilities#category/3468.
Degaust said there are no special rules for dropping off a Christmas tree, residents simply need their standard transfer station access card with them.
City of Wetaskiwin
The City of Wetaskiwin is not picking up Christmas trees, so city residents shouldn’t leave them on streets or alleyways noted Michelle Chunyua, communications and events coordinator by phone Dec. 28.
She noted residents are asked to take their Christmas trees to the recycling centre located at 5707 51 Street (on the north end of town). Hours are weekdays 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., weekends and holidays 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Chunyua said there are no special requirements or fees for dropping off a Christmas tree.
Dropping trees off at the recycling centre achieves the goal set for the centre originally: diverting certain types of refuse from the landfill that really doesn’t need to be there in the first place.
Town of Millet
The Town of Millet doesn’t pick up Christmas trees either, but rather asks residents to drop them off at the Public Works yard located at 4507 49 St., noted Public Works staff by phone Dec. 28. That’s across the train tracks, just south of the bottle depot.
The town asks residents to take their tree just inside the gates and drop them off on the right-hand side. Public Works accepts trees between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. up to January 6 and can only accept trees from Town of Millet residents.
There are no special requirements or fees but staff ask residents to ensure the trees are in burnable condition. Public Works staff asked to pass along a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all local residents.